Olympic Torch on Display at the National Archives Museum

1984 Los Angeles Olympics Torch

WASHINGTON, December 8, 2023 – An Olympic Torch from the 1984 Summer Olympics held in Los Angeles is now on display as part of the exhibit All American: The Power of Sports at the National Archives Museum in Washington, DC. On May 14, 1984, Kurt Thomas, a former Olympic gymnast, passed the flame from his torch to one held by Charlotte Pearson, a member of the Special Olympics team, at a ceremony at the White House. This torch was part of a 9,000-mile relay through 33 states and the District of Columbia. The Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee gave this torch to President Reagan after the ceremony, and it comes from the holdings of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum. The torch will be on display until All American closes next month. The 1988 World Series trophy, the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup trophy, two NCAA Basketball Championship trophies, and the Lombardi Trophy from Super Bowl LIV have previously been featured in the exhibit. All American will be on view through January 7, 2024, in the Lawrence F. O’Brien Gallery of the National Archives Museum. Admission to the National Archives Museum is always free, and reservations are not required. National Archives photo by Susan Raab.

All American: The Power of Sports is made possible in part by the National Archives Foundation through the generous support of AT&T, AARP, and Mars, Incorporated. Additional support provided by HISTORY® and the Lawrence F. O’Brien Family.