On July 19, 1996, the opening of the Centennial Games took place before a crowd of 83,000 spectators at Olympic Stadium (now known as Turner Field) in Atlanta, Georgia. The festivities not only honored the hundredth anniversary of the modern Olympics but also depicted Southern culture to the world.
Atlanta Olympic Committee
The preparations for the games began nine years earlier as Atlanta attorney Billy Payne began the quest for hosting the games. One of the first individuals to support Payne’s Olympic dream was Mayor Andrew Young. Along with the other members of the organizing committee, Payne and Young began selling the idea of hosting the Olympics to local business leaders.
They highlight the city’s Southern hospitality and heritage, such as the birthplace of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the importance the city had during the Civil Rights Movement. Other attractive features were already established venues, such as the Georgia Dome, the World Congress Center, and even the benefits of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA). Eventually, their bid reached the members of the International Olympic Committee.
Venue Construction
With Atlanta selected to host the Centennial Olympic Games in September 1996, preparations were quickly taking place. Existing sports venues were expanded and additional venues were constructed not only throughout the city, but also throughout the state and other surrounding states. Funding came through a variety of sources, including public money, ticket sales, corporate sponsors, as well as private investors.
Olympic Legacy
With the opening of the Games, Atlanta welcomed 197 nations as well as countless spectators to the city. The festivities were changed suddenly on July 27, when a pipe bomb exploded during a concert in Centennial Olympic Park. Although, the competitions continued, security was greatly increased. The closing ceremony took place on August 4; however, when the crowds left, the elements of Olympics remain with the city to this day.
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