Atlanta, February 15, 1996 (155 Days Until Opening Ceremony)—A clarion call has been issued to America’s heroes—on and off the field—to carry the Olympic flame. The Atlanta Committee for the Olympics Games (ACOG) has notified 5,500 people nationwide of their selection by citizen judging panels across the country to represent America’s "Community Heroes" as torchbearers in the 1996 Olympic Torch Relay, presented by Coca-Cola.

In addition, 800 Olympians who have competed on behalf of the United States will carry the flame in honor of 100 years of athleticism and feats in modern Olympic Games competition. These Olympic heroes, selected by the United States population. The torchbearers will share the spirit of the Centennial Olympic Games by bringing the flame to millions of people in American cities and towns, its rural areas, along its main streets and back roads, through deserts and over mountains.

"Carriers of the torch have a time-honored responsibility and duty to uphold and represent the Olympic ideals and sanctity of the flame," said Billy Payne, president and CEO of ACOG. "These people bring a humanitarian and competitive spirit in serving as a composite of great Americans."

Community Heroes and Olympians comprise more than half of the 10,000 individual torchbearers who will pass the flame hand-to-hand, torch-to-torch from Los Angeles to Atlanta in the 1996 Olympic Torch Relay.

"America’s Olympians have made great contributions and are honored for their achievement," said Dr. LeRoy T. Walker, president of the U.S. Olympic Committee. "The U.S. Olympic Committee is gratified to pay tribute to all of the torchbearers and the Olympic family who participate in the 1996 Olympic Torch Relay."

Never before has such a novel method been employed to ensure and equitable process in selecting torchbearers in a relay. ACOG and local United Way organizations conducted a nationwide search over six weeks for extraordinary people who make significant contributions to others through outstanding volunteer work and community leadership, by performing acts of generosity and kindness and heroic feats.

Writing a 100-word description about the qualities of the person, Community Heroes were nominated by themselves or others in a national ratio of seven entries for every one torch bearer spot awarded. The evaluation of entries was conducted by 147 citizen panels with at least one judging site located in every state. Each entry was read and scored independently by three separate judges.

"The quality of all the people who were nominated as heroes is ever so impressive," commented Billy Payne. "These torchbearers represent what is best about America and are exemplary models of the many heroes who everyday make significant sacrifices in serving others in society."

Some of the Community Heroes who have been selected to carry the Olympic Torch are:

• New York City businessman Eugene Lang, who gives college scholarships to disadvantaged students if they finish high school

• Kathy Sorabella who was homeless at age 18 and now, ten years later, directs the shelter she founded to help homeless women in Natick, Mass.

• Larry Haymes of Tacoma, Wash., who saved a victim’s life by performing CPR for 30 minutes after gunshots randomly cut down the innocent bystander in a crowded shopping mall.

• Levente Smith, 14, who recruits fellow Maple Plain, Minn, teenagers for community service through a brochure she designed and distributes telling the benefits of collecting food for the hungry and toys for underprivileged children.

"The 1996 Olympic Torch Relay is an opportunity to recognize the extra acts of personal courage and generosity performed each day by the ‘quiet’ heroes who represent all that is good in our country. On behalf of local United Ways, we have been pleased to assist in the recognition of these Community Heroes and the important role they play in neighborhoods and communities throughout the United States," said Elaine L. Chao, president and CEO, United Way of America.

People chosen as torchbearers must accept their selection and agree to participate in the Olympic Torch Relay on a day and time designated by ACOG. Torchbearers will be assigned running segments as close to their hometowns as possible along the relay route and are responsible for carrying a 3.5 lb. Torch for up to one kilometer. ACOG will provide an official uniform and make the Olympic torch carried by each torchbearer available for purchase at cost. ACOG will assist torchbearers with disabilities.

Americans will have final chance to choose torchbearers through Coca-Cola’s "Share the Spirit" program. By filling out nominating forms available at retail outlets, all Americans can nominate someone special in their lives to carry the Olympic flame. This national and international search for 2,500 torchbearers will continue in to March, and no purchase is required to participate.

Other torchbearers selected by ACOG will consist of people who participate in the Olympic Movement, including media representatives and sponsors of the Centennial Olympic Games.

The 1996 Olympic Torch Relay travels 15,000 miles by runner, bicycle, horseback, boat, plane and a 19-car train for 84 days throughout America, passing 29 state capitals. In celebrating the rich history and diverse cultural heritage of America the relay stops several times daily for celebrations in communities along the route. Am average day takes the flame 150 miles in 15 hours. The flame begins its cross-country journey April 27 in Los Angeles culminating July 19 at the Opening Ceremony of the Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta.

More than 10,000 athletes from 197 countries will participate in the Centennial Olympic Games, which take place July 19 to August 4, 1996, and mark the 100 anniversary of the modern Olympic Games.  

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