On May 20, 1996, the Olympic Torch was relayed through Arlington ahead of the ’96 Summer Games in Atlanta.

After arriving in Fort Worth from Denton, the torch made its way through Arlington on Division Street before traveling into Grand Prairie and beyond. Forty-five people relayed the torch through Tarrant County, with ten carrying it through Arlington—including beloved UTA professor Allan Saxe.

The torch traveled through 42 states with 10,000 torchbearers, each carrying the iconic flame for about 0.62 miles.

The Olympic Torch was previously relayed through Arlington in 1984 ahead of the ’84 Summer Games in Los Angeles.

John Moritz carries the torch down Division Street in Arlington
while a crowd watches and cheers
Photo Credit: Fort Worth Star-Telegram – May 21, 1996

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Blog post by Jason S. Sullivan, 05-20-26