Joel Anderson on Why Muhammad Ali lighting the Olympic Torch Still Defines Atlanta 1996 | 7.23

The Right Time with Bomani Jones · Jul 23, 2026 · 57m · transcript

Bomani Jones is joined by journalist Joel Anderson for a Time Machine Thursday edition of The Right Time, looking back at the cultural impact and unforgettable moments of the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. Bo and Joel examine how the games put a growing Atlanta on the global map and navigate the city's complex history as a cultural hub in the 1990s. They count down the most defining figures and legendary stories from the games, starting with Muhammad Ali's deeply symbolic lighting of the Olympic torch. They also revisit the jaw-dropping grit of gymnast Kerri Strug competing through a severe…