The Olympic torch will help kick off the 2016 Summer Olympic Games on Friday evening in Rio De Janeiro.
Before that can happen, the flame travels from Olympia Greece, where miles and miles by train, car, and on foot.
That flame passed through Knoxville in June of 1996. On a rainy day in June, it was the iconic symbol that David Nelson held tight in his hands.
"Oh my gosh, it was such an incredible experience, everybody was filled with adrenaline and pumped up and there were thousands of people lined the streets,” said Nelson.
People packed the streets to watch as the flame made its way from St. Louis to Knoxville, in route to Atlanta.
"They came out to see the torch and the flame being passed, it was a part of history,” said Nelson.
His leg of the journey, wasn’t the smoothest.
"It was raining so hard it looked like it was midnight, and it was pitch black but I didn't even feel a drop of rain because I was so pumped,” said Nelson.
Today, the torch he carried and outfit he wore are prized possessions for Nelson.
"20 years later and I can still wear it, that's what amazes me!”
Members of the community and former local Olympians helped carry the flame.
"I came down chapman highway, and people were lined up everywhere,” said Missy Kane.
The trek wasn’t difficult for Kane, a former distance runner and 1984 track and field Olympian. With her oldest daughter, Kelsey, by her side, she carried the torch for a stretch during its 1996 journey.
"She [Kelsey] was 6 years old and she got to go with me and we would exchange, let her hold it for a while,” said Kane.
"It’s special me but for everyone who gets to see the torch come through and be a part of the Olympic spirit.”
Kane’s torch now travels with her to schools around Knoxville.
"I've taken it to schools and let the kids touch it, because I think it’s kind of neat, that they want to be close to it in some way,” said Kane.
Carefully crafted, each year’s torch is different bringing a signature design.
“Its gold plated and it lists the years and the countries, like London 1908 Stockholm, Amsterdam, Munich, Los Angeles 1984,” described Kane.
"On my torch, the wood that is on this, is from Greece, of course that is the home country of the Olympics,” said Kane.
The memento wasn’t cheap. It cost participants $300 dollars if they wanted to keep it.
The final hand-off in Knoxville landed the flame into the hands of Lady Vols head basketball coach Pat Summitt, who carried the torch into World’s Fair Park.
“I think it means a lot to a lot of people thinking back to the torch run with Pat being the one who lit the torch here,” said Kane.
Years later, Kane and Nelson hope this year’s flame will carry the same message it did back then.
“Comradery, and coming together, in a peaceful time in America," said Nelson. “There is no bickering and hatred, and all this other stuff that we see in the world today.”
"Bringing people together, to compete fairly, and no political things going on, just to compete, and be one community,” said Kane