1996 Summer Olympics opening ceremony 1996 Summer Olympics opening ceremony The opening ceremony of the 1996 Summer Olympics took place in the evening on Friday 19 July in the Centennial Olympic Stadium, Atlanta, United States. As mandated by the Olympic Charter, the proceedings combined the formal and ceremonial opening of this international sporting event, including welcoming speeches, hoisting of the flags and the parade of athletes, with an artistic spectacle to showcase the host nation’s culture and history. The Olympic cauldron was lit by former gold medalist and boxing champion Muhammad Ali. The ceremony features Award-winning and Grammy Award-time nominated film composer, John Williams, French
Aruba at the 1996 Summer Olympics Committee on 1 January 1986. Aruba made its Olympic debut as a distinct territory soon after, at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, and they have participated in every Summer Olympic Games since. The 1996 Summer Olympics were held in Atlanta, United States, from 19 July to 4 August 1996; 10,318 athletes took part representing 194 National Olympic Committees. Atlanta was Aruba's third time participating in the Summer Olympics. The Aruban delegation to these Olympics consisted of three competitors, track and field athlete Miguel Janssen, weightlifter Junior Faro, and cyclist Lucien Dirksz. Faro was chosen as the flag-bearer for the opening ceremony.