"The Eroding Legacy of the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta" by Rembert Browne (Decatur: condo, neighborhood)

[AnsleyPark]

Originally Posted by Saintmarks

But we have Centennial Olympic Park. The whole west side of downtown has been forever transformed. This, if nothing else is a lasting legacy.

I was a young father with three small kids and not in a financial place to attend a lot of events, but we went as often as we could to the park just to soak up the atmosphere. It was electric. Yes, the vendors wre a bit over the top but in no way spoi8led the overall ambiance. The worst thing to mar the experience was the bombing. It made me so angry that one idiot could attempt to ruin our Olympics. That they carried on is a testament to the city coming together and weathering this ridulcousness.

Not even going to read the article. Samaranch's snub still smarts. It was totally undeserved. Atlanta is not flailing in debt like Greece, taxpayers aren't holding the bil as in other countries. We put on a great Olympics, had top notch facilities, got people around easily and had a blast as a city and above it all, it was paid for. That is the lasting legacy.

Good post, as usual, Saintmarks. I remember the Olympics fondly and its legacy, at least to me, is the vitality that was brought to the city, the leaders created, and the vision and dream that were created. We still have those things today.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by Saintmarks

But we have Centennial Olympic Park. The whole west side of downtown has been forever transformed. This, if nothing else is a lasting legacy.

I was a young father with three small kids and not in a financial place to attend a lot of events, but we went as often as we could to the park just to soak up the atmosphere. It was electric. Yes, the vendors wre a bit over the top but in no way spoi8led the overall ambiance. The worst thing to mar the experience was the bombing. It made me so angry that one idiot could attempt to ruin our Olympics. That they carried on is a testament to the city coming together and weathering this ridulcousness.

Not even going to read the article. Samaranch's snub still smarts. It was totally undeserved. Atlanta is not flailing in debt like Greece, taxpayers aren't holding the bil as in other countries. We put on a great Olympics, had top notch facilities, got people around easily and had a blast as a city and above it all, it was paid for. That is the lasting legacy.

Yes, we have the park and I like it.

I thought the Olympics were a good show and something we should be proud of.

And FWIW, the article in question isn't a knock on Atlanta, at least not as I read it. He's just remarking on times that have come and gone.

[Saintmarks]

Originally Posted by arjay57

Yes, we have the park and I like it.

I thought the Olympics were a good show and something we should be proud of.

And FWIW, the article in question isn't a knock on Atlanta, at least not as I read it. He's just remarking on times that have come and gone.

Thanks, will read it. Was at work and sneaking on here as things were slow, but opening links and reading articles on company time... well that is a bit much...

[cqholt]

An oral history of Izzy, the mascot marketing snafu of Olympic proportions
What is it? An oral history of Izzy, the mascot marketing snafu of Olympic proportions - Atlanta Magazine

[demonta4]

Originally Posted by cqholt

An oral history of Izzy, the mascot marketing snafu of Olympic proportions
What is it? An oral history of Izzy, the mascot marketing snafu of Olympic proportions - Atlanta Magazine

Smith: It would’ve been easier to have a phoenix.

Seriously, why did no one think of that?

[goillini8]

From the article:

"Remnants of Atlanta, Olympic host, do still exist today. But it’s clear, with just a quick joyride through town, how oddly Atlanta has cultivated the legacy of its greatest public triumph and failure. The overwhelming sentiment seems to be “Let’s just move on.”"

I see nothing wrong with moving on. It was a big moment for Atlanta, but there's just no reason to dwell on it. Hosting an Olympics has a lot of positives and negatives. Atlanta isn't hosting again any time soon. The city has grown up a lot since then. People are aware Atlanta hosted the 96 games. What is there really to cultivate? You're not going to keep unused facilities open just to cultivate a legacy. Is Atlanta going to emblazon everything with 'Atlanta 96" just as a reminder? Of course not. Does it want "Host of the 96 Olympics" to be it's motto/tagline? Why would it? Again, I think moving on is right thing to do. It's a stupid thing to base an identity on.

[demonta4]

Originally Posted by goillini8

From the article:

"Remnants of Atlanta, Olympic host, do still exist today. But it’s clear, with just a quick joyride through town, how oddly Atlanta has cultivated the legacy of its greatest public triumph and failure. The overwhelming sentiment seems to be “Let’s just move on.”"

I see nothing wrong with moving on. It was a big moment for Atlanta, but there's just no reason to dwell on it. Hosting an Olympics has a lot of positives and negatives. Atlanta isn't hosting again any time soon. The city has grown up a lot since then. People are aware Atlanta hosted the 96 games. What is there really to cultivate? You're not going to keep unused facilities open just to cultivate a legacy. Is Atlanta going to emblazon everything with 'Atlanta 96" just as a reminder? Of course not. Does it want "Host of the 96 Olympics" to be it's motto/tagline? Why would it? Again, I think moving on is right thing to do. It's a stupid thing to base an identity on.

The Olympics is such a huge part of our city though. A lot of the city wouldn't exist the way it is today without the Olympics, and we still use most of our Olympic infrastructure (Centennial Park, The Olympic Village, Turner Field, Phillips Arena, Atlanta Beach etc).

[cwkimbro]

Originally Posted by goillini8

From the article:

"Remnants of Atlanta, Olympic host, do still exist today. But it’s clear, with just a quick joyride through town, how oddly Atlanta has cultivated the legacy of its greatest public triumph and failure. The overwhelming sentiment seems to be “Let’s just move on.”"

I see nothing wrong with moving on. It was a big moment for Atlanta, but there's just no reason to dwell on it. Hosting an Olympics has a lot of positives and negatives. Atlanta isn't hosting again any time soon. The city has grown up a lot since then. People are aware Atlanta hosted the 96 games. What is there really to cultivate? You're not going to keep unused facilities open just to cultivate a legacy. Is Atlanta going to emblazon everything with 'Atlanta 96" just as a reminder? Of course not. Does it want "Host of the 96 Olympics" to be it's motto/tagline? Why would it? Again, I think moving on is right thing to do. It's a stupid thing to base an identity on.

I think you are falling into into a black and white only trap world where you`re either dwelling on the past and making a one and only tag line of hosting the Olympics or simply... just move on.


Almost every city that has hosted the Olympics has kept that history as a part of the identity. It is an honour to be a host. Many have kept the old Olympic venues open for tours if not reused them for other things. But no one ever said they merely kept that as a tagline `nor was I aware Atlanta has done that.


If anything we probably had the most re-use of Olympic facilities for other purposes before and after the games than most other hosts.

[wasel]

Originally Posted by Saintmarks

But we have Centennial Olympic Park. The whole west side of downtown has been forever transformed. This, if nothing else is a lasting legacy.

I was a young father with three small kids and not in a financial place to attend a lot of events, but we went as often as we could to the park just to soak up the atmosphere. It was electric. Yes, the vendors wre a bit over the top but in no way spoi8led the overall ambiance. The worst thing to mar the experience was the bombing. It made me so angry that one idiot could attempt to ruin our Olympics. That they carried on is a testament to the city coming together and weathering this ridulcousness.

Not even going to read the article. Samaranch's snub still smarts. It was totally undeserved. Atlanta is not flailing in debt like Greece, taxpayers aren't holding the bil as in other countries. We put on a great Olympics, had top notch facilities, got people around easily and had a blast as a city and above it all, it was paid for. That is the lasting legacy.

Electric indeed. I was in my 20s and loved every minute of just being down there in the environment. People from all corners of the world, who seemed to be enjoying themselves. I actually thought the street vendors added to the fun vibe. It was really a special time to be in Atlanta.

All you young-uns can have your Ponce City Markets and fancy chrome and glass condos, but the essence of what it means to be a city -- in terms of a melding of humanity and bustle -- was the Games.

I was told by several visitors that they found Atlanta to be a very welcoming place and Marta very easy to use.

[Gulch]

Originally Posted by wasel

All you young-uns can have your Ponce City Markets and fancy chrome and glass condos, but the essence of what it means to be a city -- in terms of a melding of humanity and bustle -- was the Games.

It could be said that development of the former was a result of the latter.