The Atlanta Olympics -- the Centennial Games -- opened the night of July 19, 1996, when Janet Evans passed the torch to Muhammad Ali, who lit the cauldron in one of the most indelible moments in Olympic history. Another signature event occurred the night before the Opening Ceremonies in Atlanta, when Xerox sponsored a dinner called 'The 100 Golden Olympians,' honoring 100 of America's greatest living gold-medal winners. Remarkably, 93 of them attended the dinner, along with over 1000 guests. Tom Brokaw was the keynote speaker. One of those 100 Golden Olympians, Jerry Lucas, gold medal-winning member of the 1960 US Olympic Basketball team, made the rounds at the event with the offered 58” by 35” USA Olympic flag. Lucas took advantage of a once in a lifetime opportunity and obtained the signatures of 53 gold medal winners on the flag, most of which added notations regarding their event and year of participation. Signers include: Al Joyner (’84 Triple Jump), Glenn Davis (’56-’60 Track & Field), Matt Biondi (’84-’92 Swimming), Bob Mathias, Peggy Fleming (twice – ’68 Figure Skating), K.C. Jones (’56 Basketball), Oscar Robertson (’60 Basketball), Bill Bradley (’64 Basketball), Walt Bellamy (’60 Basketball), Jerry Lucas (’60 Basketball), Greg Louganis (’76-’88 Diving), Joe Frazier (’64 Boxing), Billy Mills (’64 Running), Al Oerter, Parry O’Brien, Bruce Jenner, Mark Spitz, Frank Shorter, Harrison Dillard, Kristi Yamaguchi (’92 Figure Skating), Pam Shriver, Debby Meyer (’68 Swimming), Bonnie Blair, Willie Davenport, Sammy Lee (’48-’56 Diving), Bob Hayes, Dick Fosbury (’68 High Jump), Bob Richards, Pat McCormick (’52-’56 Diving), Phil Mahre (’84 Skiing), Ralph Boston, Bruce Baumgartner (’84-’96 Wrestling), Carol Heiss, John Naber (’76 Swimming), Bob Beamon (’68 Long Jump), Lone Wigger (’64-’80 Shooting), Peter Vidmar (’84 Gymnastics), Rafer Johnson (’56-’60 Decathlon), and others. This flag presents a unique assemblage of autographs the likes of which can never be replicated (several signers are deceased). An incredible piece of Olympic memorabilia with dramatic display quality.
Pre-certified by PSA/DNA.
Includes a LOA from Jerry Lucas.