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
2012 Summer Paralympics opening ceremony into the Olympic Stadium from the ArcelorMittal Orbit carrying the Paralympic torch. Fireworks signifed his arrival as he handed it to Dave Clark, member of the 2012 blind 5 a side football team. Clark then ran to the cauldron where he passed it to Margaret Maughan, Britain's first Gold medallist in the Paralympic Games, who lit the petals which rose to form the cauldron. Beverley Knight, Lizzie Emeh and Caroline Parker appeared on the Moon stage to close the Ceremony with a performance of I am What I am. A pyrotechnic display took place as the entire cast flooded the