I had just graduated from college and started my first job when the Centennial Olympic Games came to Atlanta. Billy Payne, who led the Georgia Olympic Committee was the father of a classmate from my high school. I remember going to Centennial Olympic Park to hear the live music and soak in the Olympic energy. I remember sitting in the Olympic baseball stadium - which became Turner Field - cheering on the USA baseball team. I remember watching TV, full of American pride. as Mohammed Ali lit the torch. And then not much later, watching the aftermath of the bomb in horror. This was the summer I became an adult and this was the memory that launched it.
As Atlanta approaches the 25th anniversary of the 1996 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and anticipates the rescheduled 2020 Tokyo Games, We have much to reflect on. The Atlanta History Center is helping us do so with a variety of activities, and digital exploration to help us get in the Olympic spirit by sharing these memories of the 96' Olympics with our kids.
New Exhibit: Atlanta '96: Shaping an Olympic and Paralympic City
The Atlanta Games story is told through a special exhibit at the history center, Atlanta ’96: Shaping an Olympic and Paralympic City presents the long journey to becoming a host city, the urban history of the events, and memorable and historic moments from the Games themselves. The Olympic and Paralympic Celebration hub also include blogs, artifact highlights, and more to explore.
“Ever since we opened the new exhibition Atlanta ’96: Shaping an Olympic and Paralympic City back in September 2020 during the pandemic, we’ve been anticipating the day when we can welcome the public back in a big way to see it,” Says President & CEO, Sheffield Hale, “The opening week of the Tokyo Olympic Games is a perfect time. That week also marks the 25th anniversary of the start of the Centennial Olympic Games here in Atlanta.”
Starting July 19, guests are invited to visit Atlanta History Center to see a special presentation in the Rountree Visual Vault showcasing torches from every Olympic Games as well as a variety of artifacts and mascots from the Paralympic Games.
Author Talk - Randal Roark and Michael Dobbins, Atlanta’s Olympic Resurgence: How the 1996 Games Revived a Struggling City
Virtually, guests are invited to a free virtual Author Talk on Wednesday, July 21st at 7 PM by authors Randal Roark and Michael Dobbins for their recently-published book Atlanta’s Olympic Resurgence: How the 1996 Games Revived a Struggling City. The book was also written by the late Leon Eplan, former Commissioner for Planning and Development for the Olympics.
Tokyo Olympic Games Watch Parties
To kick off the Tokyo Olympic Games, guests are invited to a watch party of the Opening Ceremonies on Friday, July 23rd at 7 AM ET. Join us to celebrate Team USA with complimentary admission, coffee, and sweet treats. For the Tokyo Paralympic Games, the event will be on Tuesday, August 24. Both free events will take place at Atlanta History Center’s Buckhead campus.
Full details on all festivities can be found on Atlanta History Center’s website.
