Lit for the Long Run

You are the light of the world, and it’s no accident. The world needs your presence, grace, truth and endurance.

It was one of the most memorable sights in the history of the Olympics: Muhammad Ali in 1996, already struggling with Parkinson’s disease, lighting the Olympic torch in Atlanta. The world held its breath as he stood there, trembling but determined, holding the torch high. It was a moment of vulnerability and strength, of courage and inspiration. Ali’s flame lit more than a cauldron; it lit the hearts of millions. Ali — who in 1960 was known as Cassius Clay and won a gold medal at the Rome Olympics in the light heavyweight boxing division at age 18 — now had a body that was broken but still possessed a spirit that burned as bright as the flame that lit the torch. The image of Ali that night endured, not just because of who he was, but because of what he symbolized: perseverance, dignity and purpose under pressure.

Opening ceremonies for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan, Italy, were this past Friday. The torch was lit, and now the games are in full swing....