Atlanta Olympic Cauldron To Be Lit For First Time Since 1996

ATLANTA, GA — Atlanta's Olympic flame will be lit on Saturday. It’ll be the first time in nearly 24 years. Georgia State University, who now owns the stadium, will light the flame for the 2020 Olympic U.S. Marathon Trials being held in Atlanta, reports WXIA.

Muhammad Ali lit it during the opening ceremonies in 1996. The Olympic cauldron is over the intersection of Fulton St. and Hank Aaron Dr. near the former Centennial Olympic Stadium. The flame will remain lit until the marathon trials end around 3:30 p.m. The race is scheduled from noon to 3 p.m. and will be aired on NBC and WXIA.

The 26.2-mile Olympic marathon trial will start at Centennial Olympic Park. Runners will pass through historic neighborhoods, the Georgia State Capitol building, then the Mercedes-Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena. They’ll end the loop back at Centennial Olympic Park.

The top three men and women become eligible to represent the United States in the Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo. The fourth and fifth place finishers will be designated as alternates.