1996 Olympics Lasting legacies 1

Atlanta “finally won something” In 1990, it was announced that Atlanta was chosen as the host of the 1996 Olympic Games. Not since the International Cotton Expositions had Atlanta hosted such a large event Beating odds-on favorite Athens, Greece, to host the games, Atlanta began to prepare to for this important international event.

History of getting the Olympics The idea to host as conceived by a former University of Georgia football player and lawyer, Billy Paine. Together with Andrew Young, Paine was able to create a successful bid to the Olympic Committee for the games. The organizers hoped to show the world that Atlanta was an “international city” and ready to take part in the global economy. Once Atlanta was awarded the games, Paine and Young worked on securing funding for building projects, finding advertisers, and selling tickets.

Olympics preparation & infrastructure the city built new or added to existing sports stadiums repaired its sidewalks built public parks, added more hotel rooms revitalized the downtown area with new homes and apartments.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaaV7veZ2c8 Let The Games Begin opening ceremony on July 19 attracted a capacity crowd of 83,000 to the Olympic Stadium for a display honoring southern culture and the one-hundredth anniversary of the modern Olympic movement. 10,318 competitors representing 197 nations in 26 sports More than 90,000 volunteers took part. 79 countries won at least one medal. 5

There were free concerts in Centennial Olympic Park. While most of the events were in the metro Atlanta area, other cities took part in hosting events including Athens, Savannah, and even Birmingham, Alabama. For the most part, the games ran smoothly. Unfortunately, the excitement of the games was dampened when a bomb exploded and tragically killed two spectators.

Benefits to the city Improved pedestrian environment, preparations for the games included the construction of new housing and the conversion of existing buildings into lofts Housing in several low-income neighborhoods near downtown changed in preparation for the games. Techwood Homes public housing project was replaced by mixed- income apartments and dormitories to house Olympic athletes Many of Atlanta's sports facilities were replaced or upgraded. Including the Olympic Stadium, which was refitted as Turner Field, the home of Atlanta's professional baseball team, the Braves. 7

Benefits to the City Centennial Olympic Park provided additional green space and has attracted investment in housing and hotels in the area tourism industry received boost. During the five years after the Olympics, the number of conventions hosted by the city increased each year, and the number of international tourists also grew. 8

Other Sites/Venues (fill in 1st Ring) Atlanta Savannah Columbus Athens Gainesville Cleveland Jonesboro

Benefits to Georgia (fill in 2nd/Yellow Ring) • Millions of dollars spent to make world class athletic facilities. These include Olympic Stadium. Lake Lanier Rowing Center. Brought international recognition to Atlanta • Tremendous media coverage which led to increased tourism. International business expansion.

More Benefits to Georgia (fill in 3rd/Black Ring) • Brought job opportunities to thousands of Georgia citizens through volunteer programs. educational programs. training programs. • Brought millions of dollars into Georgia’s economy

• Centennial Olympic Park Bombing Negative Moments • Centennial Olympic Park Bombing Alice Hawthorne killed in the explosion 117 injured

Criticisms of 1996 Olympic Games • Press criticized Olympic planners for lack of infrastructure (basic facilities like roads, bridges, ports, etc.). • Street vendors on every corner aggressively selling their goods.

In Conclusion Hosting 1996 Olympic Games made a lasting imprint on Atlanta, bringing increased attention and investment to the area from around the globe. In 2006 the city celebrated the ten-year anniversary of the games with various ceremonies and celebrations, including the opening of the Centennial Olympic Games Museum at the Atlanta History Center in July. 14