Atlanta Chosen for the Olympic Games

In preparation for the 1996 Summer Olympic Games, the International Olympic Council chose to bring the games to Atlanta, Georgia instead of going back to Athens, Greece.

    The Olympic games by themselves are a big deal. The Olympics draw billions of viewers and billions more dollars of revenue for both the host country and many countries involved. The 1996 Olympics, however, would be so much larger than that since it would be the 100th summer Olympic games since its first modern iteration in 1896. These first games were held in Athens, Greece as an ode to the original Olympics, ancient games which were held in Olympia, Greece between 776 BC and 393 AD. One would think, then, that the centennial Olympic games should go back to Greece to commemorate its heritage but instead they came to Atlanta, Georgia. In a stunning turn of events, the International Olympic Council voted 51 to 35 in favor of Atlanta over Athens. Georgians, such as Mayor Maynard Jackson, were excited by not only the estimated $1.4 billion of revenue from sponsorships, ticket sales, and other promotions, but also about the opportunity to display Georgia as a symbol of racial tolerance and economic progress in the South. According to the Olympic Council, the decision was made based on each city’s infrastructure, political stability, and security. Atlanta’s stance was that it was ready to be a player on the world stage and would show this to the world by serving more than two million visitors, 3.5 billion worldwide viewers, and with an estimated economic impact of $5.4 billion on the city from the games.

Sources: 

• Newman, Harvey K.. "Olympic Games in 1996." New Georgia Encyclopedia (Project). 1996, http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/sports-outdoor-recreation/olympic-games-1996.
• Weisman, Steven R. “Atlanta Selected Over Athens for 1996 Olympics.” The New York Times, 19 Sept. 1990, pp. A1–B10, www.nytimes.com/1990/09/19/sports/atlanta-selected-over-athens-for-1996-olympics.html.