1936
Fritz Schilgen lit the cauldron in Berlin during the first Olympic relay 85 years ago. Video footage of his performance was used in Nazi propaganda, according to Inside the Games. The International Olympic Committee later apologized for sharing a video of the event in 2020. The German athlete, who died in 2005 at age 99, again carried the torch in April 1996 ahead of the Atlanta Olympics, igniting the cauldron at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin.
1948
John Mark was the final torchbearer at the Opening Ceremony of the London Olympics, three years after WWII. He was seen running in front of the VIP stand at Wembley Stadium (best known as the home of the Football Association), while members of the organizing committee gave the British sprinter a round of applause.
1956
Oops! Olympic athlete Guido Caroli took a little spill while bearing the torch at the 1956 Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. The Italian speed skater fell onto the ice and "scrambled quickly to his feet to complete his tour of honor," according to the original caption for this archival photo.
1968
From record setter to history maker! Enriqueta Basilio, who was Mexico's record holder for the 80 meter hurdle, became the first woman to light the final flame. The 20 year old was photographed rehearsing in July 1968 (right), before igniting the Olympic cauldron at the Mexico City games in October. During the big moment, she ascended a giant staircase in front of all the spectators (left).
1984
For Los Angeles' turn as host, Olympic gold medalist Rafer Johnson carried the symbolic torch through the Memorial Coliseum, after it had traveled through 42 states in more than 80 days.
1988
Clad in Canada's signature red and white, young figure skater Robyn Perry sparked the flame of the Olympic cauldron during the 1988 Calgary Olympics. She was just 12 years old at the time.
1994
His Majesty has entered the building. Haakon, Crown Prince of Norway, had the honor of being the final torchbearer at his country's Olympics in the 1990s. The heir apparent was 20 at the time and is now 48 years old, married to Mette-Marit, Crown Princess of Norway, and a father of two.
1996
Boxing champ Muhammad Ali lit the Olympic flame during the Opening Ceremony of the 1996 event in Atlanta, Georgia, which marked the Olympics' centennial celebration.
2002
Gold medal winners of the U.S. hockey team from 1980 were reunited for a special mission at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics. They cheered while lighting the flame in USA jerseys.
2004
Surf's up in Greece: Nikolaos Kaklamanakis won a gold medal for windsurfing in 1996 and was back for more at the Athens Olympics to set fire to the Olympic cauldron.
2006
Italian skier Stefania Belmondo waved to her fans, while showing off the Olympic flame during the Opening Ceremony at the Turin Olympics.
2008
Olympic gymnast Li Ning put his skills to good use at the Beijing games. The Chinese athlete flew through the air at the memorable Opening Ceremony, while protecting the sacred flame on its last leg.
2010
From left to right: Paralympic Games athlete Rick Hansen, ice hockey player Wayne Gretzky, speed skater Catriona Le May Doan, basketball star Steve Nash and skier Nancy Greene were chosen to light up the arena at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.
2014
Russian ice skater Irina Rodnina and Russian hockey player Vladislav Tretyak shared the stage at the Sochi Olympics, as they raced to the cauldron to complete their task.
2016
Long distance runner Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima triumphantly lifted the torch over his head at the Rio Olympic games.
2018
South Korean figure skater Kim Yuna dressed the part in an icy white ensemble for her moment at the most recent Winter Olympics.
2021
Tennis champion Naomi Osaka set the 2021 Tokyo Olympics ablaze more than a year after the torch was first lit for the relay. The coronavirus pandemic delayed the games from 2020 to 2021, with the torch being displayed at the Olympic Museum in Tokyo, before she completed its home stretch in July.