Atlanta has been chosen as the starting point for the 2028 Olympic torch relay, a journey that is set to pass through all 50 states before the Games arrive in Los Angeles. Organizers say the relay will carry the flame across the country in a nationwide celebration ahead of the Summer Olympics.
According to LA28, the relay is described as historic, with the organization stating it will travel through all 50 states starting in Atlanta. LA28 also says the Olympic and Paralympic torch relays together will bring the spirit of the Games to every state in 2028, with journeys designed to connect athletes and communities to their home states and hometowns.
A Return to Atlanta's Olympic Roots
Atlanta previously hosted the Summer Olympics in 1996, and per FOX 5 Atlanta, those Games were the last Summer Olympics held in the United States before Los Angeles takes on hosting duties in 2028. That history is part of why the city was picked to send the flame on its way this time rather than simply receive it.
The station's report also notes that the torch relay will lead into the broader 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, with the Paralympic torch relay following its own path toward the Paralympic Games in August 2028. FOX 5 Atlanta's report attributes its details to LA28.org and the City of Atlanta as sources for the announcement.
What Remains Unannounced
Organizers have not announced where the U.S. leg of the Paralympic relay will begin, per the same account. That detail, along with other specifics of the full route, has not yet been made public as planning continues ahead of 2028.
For now, the confirmed piece of the puzzle is the starting line: Atlanta, a city with its own Olympic legacy, will be where the flame's cross-country journey begins before the torch relay makes its way toward the West Coast.
