Atlanta Chosen for the Olympic Games

Atlanta Chosen for the Olympic Games

1996 Summer Olympic Games

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.

Josh Mermelstein

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.

https://www.nytimes.com/1990/09/19/sports/atlanta-selected-over-athens-for-1996-olympics.html

https://dlg.usg.edu/record/nge_ngen_h-2042

https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/sports-outdoor-recreation/olympic-games-1996