4 ms·

Atlanta has always felt snubbed by hostility from the IOC, who didn't like the level of private corporate sponsorship used to fund the 1996 Games (nevermind tha

Atlanta has always felt snubbed by hostility from the IOC, who didn't like the level of private corporate sponsorship used to fund the 1996 Games (nevermind that two decades later, it would be considered modestly quaint today). However, it was overwhelmingly a successful Games. It created a lasted economic boom, and much of the construction saw continued use or was repurposed afterward. Today, Atlanta is not really remembered as a "bad" Olympics (because international sports organizatinos like the IOC and FIFA have become more disgustingly capitalistic than we ever were). We are likewise not really remembered as an "success" story either, frankly because most cultural commentary prefers not to think about southern American cities at all outside the context of sweeping generalizations about racism (1). But quietly, it was an example of a success story for the host city. (1) Yeah, between the '96 Games and this year's Super Bowl, Atlanta sports fans are a pretty bitter crowd. Don't mind us!

lmm 10y ago
It's remembered as a publicity stunt for Coca-Cola, no?
jessaustin 10y ago
For me the thing that comes to mind most readily is the FBI screwing up and accusing that one poor dude of setting that bomb...
- echelon 10y ago
  They're supposedly making a film about Richard Jewell starring Jonah Hill. I'm not sure who else is attached. It might be in development hell at this point as the film was first announced several years ago.
johannes1234321 10y ago
I always remember the extra cheering the team of the country of Georgia received during the parade of nations. Some Georgians probably confused the state they are in with the country :-) https://youtu.be/5Fmk2bS8OWk?t=350 https://youtu.be/5Fmk2bS8OWk?t=350
SnacksOnAPlane 10y ago
Damn straight. The aquatic center is still in use at GA Tech. And Tech also got a lot of new housing from the Olympic Village, and a nice new student center. The Olympic Stadium turned into Turner Field, which will now be a stadium for GA State University. I believe the velodrome is still in use, although not totally sure about that. Basically, Atlanta planned very well for the post-Olympic legacy. And I think we threw a pretty good Olympics, all in all. Yeah, there was lots of advertising, but because of it, the city didn't go into tremendous debt. Plus our opening ceremonies were the world debut of wacky waving inflatable arms guy, so that's gotta count for something.
- libria 10y ago
  Not to mention Centennial Olympic park is a venue for concerts and events.
  - echelon 10y ago
    Are you going to Shaky Knees? I'm always eager to meet other Atlanta-area engineers, especially if they have similar music tastes.
    - libria 10y ago
      Apologies, I'm no longer in the Atlanta area. Maybe a local Meetup group perhaps?
- hotgoldminer 10y ago
  The Velodrome is not still in use. There is an outdoor concrete Velodrome in East Point which is heavily used, but it was not an Olympic venue.
- planteen 10y ago
  I lived for a couple years in housing that was built for the Olympics when I went to GT. It was a nice building. I also used the aquatic center a couple times to practice kayaking. The coolest part about that pool was you could lower the floor.

lmm 10y ago

It's remembered as a publicity stunt for Coca-Cola, no?

jessaustin 10y ago

For me the thing that comes to mind most readily is the FBI screwing up and accusing that one poor dude of setting that bomb...

echelon 10y ago
They're supposedly making a film about Richard Jewell starring Jonah Hill. I'm not sure who else is attached. It might be in development hell at this point as the film was first announced several years ago.

johannes1234321 10y ago

I always remember the extra cheering the team of the country of Georgia received during the parade of nations. Some Georgians probably confused the state they are in with the country :-) https://youtu.be/5Fmk2bS8OWk?t=350 https://youtu.be/5Fmk2bS8OWk?t=350

SnacksOnAPlane 10y ago

Damn straight. The aquatic center is still in use at GA Tech. And Tech also got a lot of new housing from the Olympic Village, and a nice new student center. The Olympic Stadium turned into Turner Field, which will now be a stadium for GA State University. I believe the velodrome is still in use, although not totally sure about that. Basically, Atlanta planned very well for the post-Olympic legacy. And I think we threw a pretty good Olympics, all in all. Yeah, there was lots of advertising, but because of it, the city didn't go into tremendous debt. Plus our opening ceremonies were the world debut of wacky waving inflatable arms guy, so that's gotta count for something.

libria 10y ago
Not to mention Centennial Olympic park is a venue for concerts and events.
- echelon 10y ago
  Are you going to Shaky Knees? I'm always eager to meet other Atlanta-area engineers, especially if they have similar music tastes.
  - libria 10y ago
    Apologies, I'm no longer in the Atlanta area. Maybe a local Meetup group perhaps?
hotgoldminer 10y ago
The Velodrome is not still in use. There is an outdoor concrete Velodrome in East Point which is heavily used, but it was not an Olympic venue.
planteen 10y ago
I lived for a couple years in housing that was built for the Olympics when I went to GT. It was a nice building. I also used the aquatic center a couple times to practice kayaking. The coolest part about that pool was you could lower the floor.