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
Bhutan at the 1996 Summer Olympics have taken part in every Summer Olympics since then, making Atlanta their fourth appearance in a Summer Olympiad. They have never participated in a Winter Olympic Games. The 1996 Summer Olympics were held from 19 July to 4 August 1996; 10,318 athletes represented 194 National Olympic Committees. The Bhutanese delegation to Atlanta consisted of two archers, Jubzhang Jubzhang and Ugyen Ugyen. Jubzhang was chosen as the flag bearer for the opening ceremony. Archery is the national sport of the Kingdom. Jubzhang Jubzhang was 25 years old at the time of the Atlanta Olympics, and had previously represented Bhutan at the