Official 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics torch, constructed of gold-plated brass, aluminum, and Georgian pecan hardwood, measuring 31.75″ in length and 2.5″ at its widest point. Designed by Peter Mastrogiannis, the wooden handle represents the connection of the flame between heaven and earth, and is signed in black felt tip by Muhammad Ali, who memorably ignited the torch that was lifted by wire into the Olympic cauldron; the torch’s twenty-two reeds, representing every host city of the Olympic Games since 1896, are gathered by bands at the top and bottom, with the top displaying the Atlanta Games logo and the quilt of leaves design, and the bottom band listing all Olympic cities and their dates since 1896. Opposite side of handle bears a stamped authentication serial code, with some darkening to upper reeds. Accompanied by a photo of Ali taken at the time of signing and a certificate of authenticity from Signature Verification Systems. The torch relay was run from April 27 to July 19, 1966, and covered 26,875 km across the United States by over 12,000 torchbearers. Its journey included a trek on the Pony Express, a ride on the Union Pacific Railroad, and the first instance in which an Olympic relay torch made its way into space when it was carried aboard Space Shuttle Columbia as part of STS-78. The lighting of the final torch by Ali has since been remembered as one of the most momentous in Olympic history. Ali won the light heavyweight gold medal at the 1960 Rome Olympics, but ultimately lost his prize shortly thereafter; Ali was presented with a replacement medal during half-time of a basketball game at the 1996 Games. Oversized. Pre-certified PSA/DNA.
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