Unforgettable Barcelona 1992: The Epic Olympic Torch Lighting

[@dancingwithdingbats]

And you know an even bigger secret? Just a few weeks later, Antonio repeated his extraordinary feat by re-lighting the same cauldron in the exact same way for the Paralympics opening ceremony. As far as I can tell, he is the first person ever to light an Olympic and a Paralympic cauldron.

[@HistoryX]

That is an amazing fact! Thank you for posting!

[@Zinnie988]

​@@HistoryX You absolutely have to edit your video to add that fact...and let it go viral in 2024 Olympic season! 🎉 The mood is right!

[@heybuds8098]

I totally agree. For me, that was also the best Olympic torch lighting so far. It was a true mastery of a sport discipline.

[@HistoryX]

Thank you for watching! Happy to hear you enjoyed it and hope you will consider subscribing.

[@Yuhon100]

Not only you agree, I agree with you also, until now people are talking about it, it is the best Olympic torch lighting ever, it is not easy for him to do, it takes a lot of practicing to perfect it. No other Olympics torch lighting is the best, but this is the best ever of all. Almost everyone said that also.

[@jolenefoster6280]

This is my grandfather Antonio Rebollo’s cousin!!! This was a huge deal when I was a kid for our family and we still have the newspaper clipping. So excited to have discovered this video!!

[@angelicajuarez4026]

😮 cómo?? Prima? Abuelo Antonio Rebollo??

[@OtoroSabahe]

That’s so cool!!!

[@Valkyrie91a]

Nothing can ever top that fabulous flaming arrow igniting the Olympic caldron! Antonio you ARE THE MAN!

[@Yuhon100]

Yes, it is the best that people are still talking about it.

[@amashasathsarani122]

No technicalogy, No modernisation, very simple, very realistic but this is the best. Best of the best. It revealed the spirit of the sport.

[@cinnamonstanlow7015]

I recall the camera showing Antonio's face as the arrow shot from his bow, and as soon as it let loose, he broke into a huge smile, because he knew he had nailed it, even before the cauldron ignited. It was a beautiful moment. Wish we had that clip here! Thanks for sharing the back story!

[@HistoryX]

I would really like to see that video showing Antonio's expression! Thank you for the comment and thank you for watching, Cinnamon. I hope you will consider subscribing to our channel!

[@cinnamonstanlow7015]

@@HistoryX I just did! Really looking forward to your future videos! Thank you for what you do!

[@SamLiewXiaoSam]

I mean most of the sportsman will eventually know if anything wrong had happened right before the result shows. So after he shot the arrow, and gotten the right angle and right grip and all his calculation correct, he knew that the arrow will fly right into the gas that is supposed to light the cauldron

[@rico879]

He smiled because he knew how the trick worked...

[@alfredhu7366]

It's the greatest Olympic torch lighting of all time! Nothing beats that.! Can't even think of a close second...it's simple, dignified and most of all a truly perfect shot that most of us can only dream of.

[@koko2bware]

1992 was the best olympic flame lighting ever. No comparisons.

[@lollettealipe9363]

I remember this so well! It had the suspense, the drama and the exhilarating success. Antonio Rebollo is a true athlete.Thank you for featuring.him and this momentous event.

[@jayenneB]

This is the ONLY Olympic torch lighting that will ever be remarkable to me. It was simple, sharp-shooting lighting that could only be done by sheer skill. Hi-Tech had no place in this.

[@emmerentiagroenewald3694]

One forgets all the others, but THIS!!❤❤❤👍👍👍🙌🙌👐

[@juanmanuelgranadosdavila4984]

The act of lighting the Olympic cauldron in Barcelona 92 ​​is possibly the one with the greatest symbolic content, as it most faithfully reflects the Olympic ideal of the attempt at brotherhood between different people, societies and cultures as a present and future project of universal inclusive fraternity, symbolized by the launching of a flaming arrow into the distance upwards.

[@rolandojr.antonio6855]

I saw this on TV when I was a teenager. Yes, this is a nerve-wrecking moment. But he delivered it perfectly. Excellence!

[@thomas_the_cat]

i remember seeing this live on tv... indeed the best olympic torch lighting so far

[@TroyQwert]

This shot keeps sitting in my memory at all times, especially when I see or hear anything in connection with igniting an Olympic cauldron. ❤

[@kontenpelengkap5886]

A few seconds flame ignition, A whole life of dedication involved. Truly a remarkable story

[@dudy8736]

I am very grateful for this video, Ken has offered an elegant, detailed, and respectful presentation in all the details and people inside and outside of such an important event. congratulations.

[@carlosroman9908]

That was the most memorable and iconic Olympic torch lighting of all time. I was 16 years old when I saw that historic moment. Kudos to the archer for all he had to endure. 🏹🔥🏅

[@slyarsenal]

I watched this when I was only 14. Still remember it like yesterday. I was mesmerised when he shot this arrow and in imo I still believe it's the most dramatic/intense lighting of the cauldron. I'm from Sydney. When we hosted the 2000 Olympics, it was extraordinary seeing the ring of fire in water, then the mechanics of the cauldron failed for 4mins before it erected the flame, but Barcelona 1992 still takes the prize. Well done Spain!

[@johnellison1840]

I Definitely Agree this was the Best Torch Lighting I’ve Seen. A Bow and Arrow Shot, at Night!!!

[@nafinaf7937]

I am glad you researched this event. I've never believed the shot was enginereed by a remote control. Antonio is the greatest archer in the Olympic history. The shot truly represents the olympic spirit. Antonio Rebollo deserved all the credits and respect. I don't quite remember any Olympic opening ceremony, but this shot to ignite the cauldron will remain the best in my mind, and I am sure the world agrees. So dramatic it sends thrills to the viewers.

[@sergiobisonte]

It was beatifull but was fake... you can see the arrow passing by(on the camera outside the stadium)... if the arrow really ignited the gas in the caldron you would see the ignition/explosion starting in the arrow when it flew over it... but it did not happen like this... the arrow flew over, and you see the fire bursting from the bottom/inside of the caldron... never in any moment you see any ignition starting on the arrow.. sorry to tell you, but there was already a small flame and they opeened all the gas at the righ moment...

[@eliseo9603]

This moment that night of august in 1992 will remain forever in millions and millions pepple's minds

[@engridlm]

I DEFINITELY AGREE this is indeed the BEST! Antonio Rebollo has all the constraints around him but odds favored him.. REALLY AMAZING.

[@Niper777]

One only miss... Catalonia (Cataluña) is not the only one with that status, all the 17 autonomic comunities have that rights (Madrid too). I´m from Galicia (the top left region) and we have our unique language too pluss the spanish. Great video!

[@janmcguire5268]

That really was the best ever! My second choice is 1996 in Atlanta, when Ali lit the torch, his Parkinson’s Disease painfully obvious, and the fact that the identity of who was going to light the cauldron had been kept secret, made for an extremely emotional moment.

[@fitgraphisva]

I completely agree. Barcelona…all-time greatest light. Atlanta…for the emotion. And the entire 1984 LA ceremonies in total were my favorite. The Gershwin pianists…Rafer Johnson lighting the torch…”Reach Out and Touch” with most of the crowd holding hands and swaying to the music. I was a kid, but still…I was a puddle!

[@jorgevillavicencio427]

The only thing that made it memorable was Ali. The Atlanta Olympic cauldron itself was absolutely hideous. I was in Barcelona as an spectator. In Atlanta I worked for ACOG. I wish I hadn't. They looked more like a corporate fair expo than an Olympic games.

[@azharmior]

@@jorgevillavicencio427 totally agree with you. Nothing special about Atlanta opening until Ali turned up

[@jorgevillavicencio427]

@@fitgraphisva I thought Sidney 2000 was very good, too. Athens 04 was spectacular, too. But imo Barcelona beats everyone else except for Athens. After all, the Greek were the original creators of drama and the opening ceremonies where incredibly well produced and orchestrated. I would give Beijing a thumbs up if it wasn't for all the dirty work of the CCP in evicting, displacing, incarcerated, and even killed citizens in order to clear the area for the Olympic facilities to be built. I have no great memories of Atlanta, only some of the competitions.

[@dfa3366]

Barcelona Olympics opening ceremony is my favorite I’ve ever scene. I always remember that torch lighting. Nothing has come close.

[@josepcivil8090]

Sans doute la meilleure cérémonie d'ouverture des JO de tous les temps, en particulier pour l'allumage de la torche olympique.

[@brydcsd]

I was only 4 years old that time and I still could remember that moment watching on TV how the cauldron was lit. And to me, it is indeed the best lighting of cauldron ever compared to what I’ve seen in old videos and the Olympic ceremonies that happened later.

[@jflow5601]

When i saw that flaming arrow take to air, my jaw dropped. I thought those Spaniards have some cojones. It was amazing. Viva Espana unida

[@abhinavsardar9969]

Greatest ever Olympic Torch Lightning 🙌

[@Yuhon100]

This is the best ever, almost everyone said that. No other Olympic torch lighting is better but it is the best ever. As for the Winter Olympics torch lighting the 2006 Torino Olympics is the best ever if you saw that.

[@fajarkurniawan9434]

I still remember this scene, decades later

[@josephracicot4443]

I was 12 when it happened, and I still remember how awesome it was.

[@joecab3058]

Thank you for posting the inspiring story behind the historic torch lighting of Olympic cauldron in 1992 summer Olympics! I did subscribe your channel!

[@marciaplandoroscaris3585]

I agree Barcelona Olympic is the most dramatic and beautiful Olympic torch opening for me.

[@blurdreamer]

with all the technology we have now, its hard to have another bravery torch lighting like this anymore.

[@HistoryX]

I agree. The Barcelona torch lighting was amazing because of it's simplicity. Today everyone seems to want the latest technology.

[@aronth]

hes proably the first and last guy to ever pull this off on the Olympic stage

[@ferrarim5p75]

What I had heard was that, although the arrow did fall into target spot, the flame was lit by a switch. You can see the slight premature lighting of the gas before the arrowhead had reached the target. Perhaps they had wanted to be sure but had mistimed it.

[@niravjhaveri]

I was 8 years old and had seen this LIVE, it was the most exciting thing and got me hooked on to Olympics forever. I’ll turn 40 this year, and still fascinated by this incredible feat!

[@cesarsoriapena5793]

Maybe even the greek god Apollo clapped his hands that magnificent night.

[@reyfontillas7219]

this is the most creative torch lighting ever

[@SashaPomeranian]

This is my favorite, too! The most Iconic torch lighting ever.

[@thoukisth]

Im Greek ... so it pains me to admit this ... and all though I think that Athens had the GOAT opening ceremony I will gladly agree that the Barcelona 1992 Torch-lighting was the best ... by far .. I remember I had tears in my eyes

[@TheInspireImagine]

The greek opening ceremony is the second best in my opinion! Amazing!

[@Yuhon100]

@@TheInspireImagine It is, but I would say that second best behind Barcelona, Spain 1992 was Beijing, China 2008.

[@sebumpostmortem]

I' m 100% sure that, if it wasn' t already done by us 14 years before, you should have had exactly this idea for your ceremony 🇪🇦❤️💛❤️🤍💙🇬🇷

[@mkygod]

It's a really cool to incorporate another olympic sport into lighting the cauldron rather than running to it. Makes me wonder what other Olympic sport they could incorporate into this tradition.

[@suhaswaidande7517]

Thanks for sharing this sir. As a child watching this live I was mesmerized by the shot !

[@hih-meh1344]

Whatever controversy.. it was the best Torch-Lighting Ceremony ever up to this date💘 Awesomeness❣😻💕

[@Yuhon100]

Some people might think that is controversial, but no matter what people thinks it is the best that no other torch-lighting ceremony at the Summer Olympics can top or surpass that.

[@ngflycloud]

No 1 cauldron lighting without competition. Wins so hard

[@mjcamck]

This was GREAT! I remember it like it was last week. I love the line about what could be wrong w/ the world after a perfect shot like that.

[@HistoryX]

Thank you for the kind words, Martha! We appreciate you watching HISTORY X and hope you will consider subscribing to our channel. If you enjoyed that video about Antonio Rebollo's arrow shot, then you may like this video as well. It's the crazy story behind an iconic New York sculpture... kzbin.info/www/bejne/eau2mGRojreBpNE Thank you again for watching!

[@marikhnh]

Apollo in human form? The greatest cauldron lighting EVER!

[@wlsmojo]

Thanks for posting this :-) I always loved that moment. And yeah there was so many rumours about him missing and them lighting the torch remotely. I’m glad you cleared it up :-)

[@HistoryX]

So glad to hear you enjoyed it! Thank you for watching!

[@seahorse5689]

And speaking of the wind, the flames were blowing back towards his hand--had to be very hot. To keep his concentration under all those conditions is quite admirable.

[@buccilopez7465]

One of the best! Like the time of ancient olympics!

[@linkingPINKies]

Outstanding work and research! Remains the coolest lighting to date and probably ever!! Way to go Antonio!!!! 😁🏹🔥🔥

[@donovandownes5064]

You can very clearly see that the flame shoots up from the cauldron, and not down from the arrow, even in the official camera shot. It was turned on with a switch. This of course takes nothing away from the amazing skill on display.

[@aitorcamiera519]

Im sorry to burst the bubble but Antonio did shot the arrow but he did NOT ignite the cauldron. The arrow was never to pass through a "gas stream" so on the way out it would ignite it. Should that have been the case you would get an explosion not an ignition. Everything was about perfect timing on that special effect that was done in Spain. Is great to see that my country has put with that cauldron lighting a memory in the worlds retine forever to be remembered, and part of the magic of that was how it was done. It doesnt diminish the value of what Antonio did, but there is another name who devised and engineered this effect, one of the best special effects guys in the country that should probably be kept behind the scenes, so this moment shines forever thorugh the hands that throwed that arrow. This is what the very fibres of dreams are made out of! Bravo!

[@HistoryX]

Thank you so much for the comment. In my opinion your country created one of the most memorable torch lighting ceremonies ever!!!!!

[@angelicajuarez4026]

Fue un momento increible e inolvidable.. un arco con una flecha encendida en manos de Antonio Rebollo dio la vuelta al mundo y eso nunca nadie se lo va a quitar, esta escrito en el libro de la Historia de las Olimpíadas. Si eres español tendrías que estar orgulloso de éste gran momento

[@bigez5612]

ahhhhhh....1992...a great year... great event.. good times

[@HistoryX]

Thank you so much for commenting!

[@darasuresh7642]

Brilliant idea, and perfect natural attempt to lighten the Olympic flame by archery. Super.

[@Markusableitinger1]

Thank you! This was amazing documentation. It is great to learn about the story of outstanding people, such as Antonio!

[@viralviruz8694]

THANKS FOR THE FACT CHECK LOT OF PEOPLE DOUBTING THIS BECAUSE IT WAS SO SPLENDID

[@silentcartoonist]

Can I bring everyone’s attention to 7:19 so we can appreciate the arching lens flare that made Antonio look epically majestic?

[@AndrewEldridge]

Love the history on this. Thanks for sharing!

[@HistoryX]

Thanks, Andrew! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@helios1912]

@@HistoryX Good commentary. I was not aware Antonio Rebello was a Paralympian in 1984. I read this on his wiki page..."What they felt, their emotions, their cries. This is what made me realize what the moment actually meant."

[@HistoryX]

@@helios1912 Thank you for watching. So glad to see you enjoyed this video!

[@burhankhan5259]

This brought back so many memories. Hands down, best olympic flame shot ever

[@Yuhon100]

it is, no other lighting the flame into the cauldron is better, this is the best ever until now people are still talking about it.

[@Bourne246]

Being from the other side of the world from Spain, i was the only one awake to watch this happen on TV. What a previlage to see something like this happen in real time.

[@maufuentes]

This kind of feat requires steely nerves and incredible skill. Luck? After hearing about his preparations, luck is not needed. Thank you for sharing this story.

[@rcj7299]

Arguably the best olympic torch lighting in history by far!

[@Yuhon100]

It is the best of all the Olympic torch lighting, with no other past or current torch lighting did as well like the Barcelona Olympics.

[@eciliaenelson6293]

Best Olympic Torch lighting.ever!

[@brandtmanning1084]

I remember watching that live back then and remember thinking that was off the hook one of the most badass things I would probably ever witness in my life. 31 years later........it still is in the top 10-15. Awesome.

[@petesmith9472]

Yes. I am Australian. The arrow shot was the greatest cauldron lighting ever. EVER.

[@MajokiMusic]

Quick fact check: The IOC Museum with the arrow is in Lausanne Switzerland, not Luzern.

[@rubenlopezusa]

I remember Antonio lighting the torch and that guy flying over Los Angeles Forum in 1984 as some of the best moments in the Olympics history.

[@denzboxful]

It was the best Olympic torch lighting indeed

[@julianhyde1]

The arrow flew over the cauldron , it was lit by a button , in films you can see it disappear past the flame .

[@sebumpostmortem]

I was born and lived there at that time🥹. We witnessed/suffered a year of rehearsals during the night. We were told to close the windows and lower the blinds whenever the temperature allowed it. I was 16. The amount of sleepless nights we spended begging for an arrow to land in our balcony,... I still have puffy eyebags and dark circles😜. Perfect analogy about Antonio Rebollo not being from Catalonia but from Madrid. Precisely from Madriiiiid!!!!! For the catalan people who stand for independence and claim Catalonia to be a country anything could have been kinda accepted but a person from Madrid. If Rebollo was andalusian (southerner) or northerner, another story. The beef was that Madrid is Washington. And Washington does not allow Texas or any othet state to become an independent country. As you can imagine, a lot of us didn' t and don' t give a sh*t about it. Gorrrrrgeus video🖤

[@enlosluceros7236]

Not only Catalonia has autonomous institutions, all the regions do. It's so much bureaucracy btw lol

[@tsugima6317]

This was my favorite. It was well thought out. I also remember the first Fosbury Flop in Mexico City.

[@davidyang6074]

All the lightings are pretty unique, but this one indeed tops them all

[@DHall_onYT]

I remember this. It was amazing.

[@Reflectivepsych]

After watching the opening of the Paris Olympics 2024, the lighting of the cauldron of Barcelona 1992 is still the best!

[@Johnyboyknowsbetter]

I'm not trying to correct anything, just to give a good solid point, if you can notice how the wind is blowing by watching the flame, you can tell the wind is on his favor. In other words, the plane had a tail wind and that's why saved fuel a great capacity. It was the same concept in this case. Once Antonio gave the shot, the arrow was flying a great speed with not natural elements conditions in its path. Right on the target. Excellent job in this video, and no doubt, this has been the greatest lighting the Olympic cauldron flame.

[@HistoryX]

Thank you for the comment! I was watching the wind for his arrow shot. I agree that a tailwind would definitely be helpful. But to me, it seems like it was more of a crosswind. Either way it was an incredible torch lighting and I appreciate you watching!

[@maggiegarber246]

I remember that, too. It was great.

[@FavMTVs]

So far the best torch lighting and still is!

[@razwanrasheed362]

I was 5~6 years old and i remember seeing that. Was super amazed. But don't know why I thought it was during Sydney Olympics.

[@tyroneborjas]

SuperB video man. Liked it very much. Subscribed

[@bona_ventura]

1:36 That is wrong. Catalonia is one of the autonomous communities of Spain. It is not a free state, in Spain there are no states like in the US. Some leaders of that community intend to achieve something similar to what you describe against the law, but it has never been a reality. We can assume that the organizers of the event were supporters of that ideology. Anyway, great video! That shot was perfect. Just amazing👏

[@scotthix2926]

That was my first torch lighting I watched or at least remember, I was 8. Neddless to say I was disappointed at the next few lighting until I realized what a spectacular shot 92 was.

[@szk4023]

I was 12. It was my first time seriously watching the Olympics. I definitely remember that shot!

[@hanschristianrodriguez]

Well explained Ken! I'm from Spain. You made a stunning research. Well documented. I learned a lot of things I didn't knew about that lighting.

[@Yuhon100]

Still have fond memories of the 1992 Olympics held in Barcelona.

[@jeffbrunke9904]

Billions of people watching and you honesty think they didnt press the remote. No possible way they were risking that type of embarrassment on the world stage.

[@dtester]

As a kid I suspected they just lite the torch remotely and the arrow was for show. It's cool to know it was legit!

[@anilkiravadi]

Thanks man that was awesome

[@HistoryX]

Thank you for the kind words, Anil! Hope you will consider subscribing!

[@tjr-007tt]

I remember watching this as a kid and was amazed.

[@robbyyadi8274]

This my fave, amazing ❤️👍

[@fajarkurniawan9434]

Imagine chilling outside the stadium and flaming arrow landed on your pizza

[@sebumpostmortem]

No joke. We witnessed/suffered a year of rehearsals during the night. We were told to close the windows and lower the blinds whenever the temperature allowed it. I was 16. The amount of sleepless nights we spend begging for an arrow to land in our balcony,... I still have puffy eyebags and dark circles😜.

[@bret0974]

Just found your video.... it is not arguably, but absolutely the best ever lighting.... no use of hi-tech, just plain skill, mental fortitude and ability to handle stress... It perfectly symbolized what sports should be about... And we have a new story along this line.. the cool Turkish shooter who won silver without any of that tech paraphernalia... just pure skill.

[@odetteverano7146]

2024...cant hold a candle to this very symbolic and whta the heck kind of skill❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉,,, i wish i have that kind of skill,, anyone would wish to be there and witness it.. ITS HISTORICAL🎉

[@juhilla749]

I remember two Olympic flames, this one, which was fairy-tale and sublime, and the Greek flame, which was very touching.

[@rohiniguiland4873]

I remember watching it when I was a kid with my dad. It has never been watched.

[@roseanndelmundo931]

Yes it's epic. For me, it is incomparably the best

[@josepeka1189]

Amazing achievement. 🏆

[@markdunstan1031]

I remember exactly where I was! BEST lighting ever, no doubt..... Question - what was the safety margin, was the landing area cleared????

[@SonoIlFactotum]

5:58 the international olympic museum is in Lausanne, not in Luzern…

[@cameroncurrie7208]

I'm Canadian and I agree that was spectacular.

[@drkarthik]

Most importantly, you have forgotten to mention about another worst possible case scenario if something goes wrong with the string, angle, air, or force : which is the arrow hitting one of the audience or a group of them getting fire injuries..It is the ultimate risk which I am sure in everyone's mind. so everyone involved in taking a decision to light this way, has steel balls in addition to antonio