After 16 spectacular days of competition, the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France have ended with the Closing Ceremonies on Sunday. As we look forward to the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, these ten American icons could light the Olympic Cauldron.
Getty Image / Adam Pretty
A fantastic 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France has finished up after sixteen spectacular days full of viral moments and memories to last a lifetime. Now, the attention of the Summer Olympics world turns towards Los Angeles, hosts of the 2028 Summer Olympics.
It will be 32 years when the Olympic Cauldron is lit in Los Angeles from when the legendary Muhammad Ali produced one of the most inspiring moments in Olympic history, lighting the Olympic Cauldron while visually battling Parkinson’s Disease. While it will be tough to top that moment, these ten American legends could be the sole Olympic Cauldron lighter, part of a pair, or a broader group.
Michael Phelps
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Michael Phelps will make every list of potential Cauldron-lighters from now until the Opening Ceremonies. And, why shouldn’t he? The greatest Olympian to ever live -by a lot- is a global icon that represents American sporting dominance more than arguably anyone else. No one produced more magical Olympic moments than Michael Phelps, and this honor would be an incredible addition to that.
Serena Williams
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Speaking of GOAT’s, Serena Williams is a top-tier candidate to light the Olympic Cauldron. The 23-time Grand Slam champion and four-time Olympic Champion helped with the torch relay in Paris, and that’s not even her home country. Meanwhile, she grew up in a rags-to-riches story in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Compton and became arguably the most famous female athlete in the world. It almost makes too much sense for Serena Williams to light the Olympic Cauldron
Carl Lewis
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Before Michael Phelps came along, Carl Lewis was considered by many to be the greatest American Olympian of all-time, and he dominated the last Summer Olympics in Los Angeles back in 1984. Lewis won four of his nine gold medals in Los Angeles, and may be the best track and field athlete of all-time, excelling not just in the sprints but also as a long jumper. He was also featured in the Paris Opening Ceremonies alongside Williams and Phelps.
Katie Ledecky
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Michael Phelps is the greatest Team USA Olympic athlete ever, but on the women’s side that title belongs to Katie Ledecky. The 14-time Olympic medalist and 9-time gold medal winner will be looking to match and break the all-time women’s Olympic medal record of 18 by Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina, and she’s already tied her in gold medals. But, with Swimming being a week two sport in Los Angeles due to venue availability, it could set up perfectly for Ledecky to light the Olympic Cauldron.
Mark Spitz
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People thought that Mark Spitz’s then-record of 7 Olympic golds and 7 World Records in one Olympics would stand forever until Michael Phelps broke it with 8 golds and 7 world records at Beijing 2008. Spitz, who will be 78 in 2028, is a California native, and while he has slipped out of the public eye, it would be awesome to see him light the Olympic Cauldron. Who knows, maybe he could even “pass the torch” to Michael Phelps before he lights it.
Simone Biles
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The greatest gymnast of all-time just wrapped up another stellar Olympic Games, winning four more medals, including three golds to bring her total to 11 medals with 7 golds. The big question is whether Biles, 27, will continue her career in a bid to make her fourth Olympics. If she does, she is probbaly out of the running, as gymnastics competition for the women start just two days after the Opening Ceremony. But, if she retires, arguably the most iconic female athlete in the world right now has to be a contender to light the Olympic Cauldron.
LeBron James
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LeBron James just won his third gold medal, beard graying and all, in Paris in what could be his final Olympic Games at the age of 39. But, arguably the greatest basketball player in the world and one of the three or four most famous athletes in the world is going to be a surefire contender to light the Olympic Cauldron in the city he now calls home. Who knows, maybe he will be participating as an athlete in Los Angeles, too.
MIa Hamm
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The 2024 Summer Olympics were the first Summer Olympics with gender parity, with as many women competing in the Olympics as men. While Mia Hamm started her illustrious soccer career well after Title IX opened up opportunities for girls and women in sport in the USA and sparked an international movement, she might be the face of the first generation to grow up with Title IX as part of their lives. The two-time World Cup winner and two-time Olympic gold medalist held the world record for international goals at the time of her retirement.
1992 Dream Team
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No team has ever impacted the Olympic movement around the world than the 1992 USA Men’s Basketball Olympic Team, AKA the “Dream Team.” Never before had the greatest and most well-known basketball players on the planet all teamed up, and they ran through the Barcelona Olympics, easily winning a gold medal. Their cultural impact and impact on the growth of basketball around the world cannot be measured.
Separately, HIV survivor, Los Angeles Laker legend, and 1992 Dream-Teamer Magic Johnson is a candidate to light the Olympic Cauldron by himself.
Billie Jean King
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If there is one woman on the planet more responsible for the growth of women’s sports than anyone else, it’s tennis legend and equality pioneer Billie Jean King. King helped craft Title IX, beat Bobby Riggs in the “Battle of the Sex” match in 1973, and has been a leading pioneer for women’s sports ever since. She will be 84 years old in 2028, but there are few that have truly contributed to the sports world more than the 12-time Grand Slam champion.