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From someone that both resided in Atlanta at the time, and went to the Olympics -
My impression is that, if anything, Atlanta went overboard in planning. It was quite homourous - people were warning of traffic disasters, the city and all employers were planning on closing up shop for a month, people were leaving the city and trying to rent their house for astronomical fees (of course they got no offers). It went rather smooth. Take MARTA down to the center and most of the events were held in a small easily accessable area.
I wasn't suprised at Atlanta as a choice, it's not a redneck town by anymeans, It's a business town, back then it was something of a boom city. It's also young and diverse. I think it is maybe the top 5 cities in the US with the highest number of fortune 500 HQ's within it's metropolitan area. But, people grow up with Dukes of Hazzards and that's what they think about the south - incorrect perceptions. Asthetically, Atlanta is not a dull city, it's very green and relativly hilly. The heat? Well anywhere on the east coast is hot in the summer. Atlanta, because of it's altitude, is at least a few degrees cooler than the rest of the south.
I did not attend the opening sesssion but was one of the first crowds in after the bombing (and got on TV for the efforts).
I don't know what they did in Atlanta to make you say it sucked but they should have hired the group (Specifically Peter Uberoth) that put on the '84 Olympics in Los Angeles. One huge party. I had a great time! The whole city had a great time. (Probably because half the population left town because they thought the traffic was going to be so horrendous.) I'll never forget those two weeks.
Atlanta: First thought will always be "Olympic Park Bombing". They were doing a live shot in the park on Channel 4 in L.A. All the local anchors were there. That's the memory I have of Atlanta. Sad.
I don't know what they did in Atlanta to make you say it sucked but they should have hired the group (Specifically Peter Uberoth) that put on the '84 Olympics in Los Angeles. One huge party. I had a great time! The whole city had a great time. (Probably because half the population left town because they thought the traffic was going to be so horrendous.) I'll never forget those two weeks.
Atlanta: First thought will always be "Olympic Park Bombing". They were doing a live shot in the park on Channel 4 in L.A. All the local anchors were there. That's the memory I have of Atlanta. Sad.
Did you watch the opening video?
They drive out pick up trucks and have cheerleaders spell out "how y'all doing?"
I enjoyed the '96 Olympics, although I feel that the bombing in Atlanta along with all the bribery/corruption charges at the '02 event in SLC, will keep the Olympics out of the USA for many years to come. The US does not exactly have a positive reputation when it comes to the Olympics because of those last two we hosted.
In any case, it was nice for the Olympics to be hosted in the South. One has to wonder if Atlanta would have grown as much over the past decade or so if it had not been put on the spot by the Olympics.
Guess I don't care too much where it is held...except for the fact that judging is always corrupted in favor of the home teams.
Its all about the athletes. I wish we had a summer Olympics every two years. Why not?
Olympian women have the greatest legs in the world!
Haha yea if you want your hips to be crushed into a fine paste.
Overall I guess it's not really that big of a deal as to where the Olympics are held...though there were definitely more appropriate choices competing against Atlanta.
I don't really get too worked up about people getting bribed, because that happens everywhere, with everything.
I did have a problem with the opening ceremonies though. It was a total joke and it felt like a high school football game, not the introduction to one of the biggest events in the entire sports world.
I did have a problem with the opening ceremonies though. It was a total joke and it felt like a high school football game, not the introduction to one of the biggest events in the entire sports world.
Well if you exclude Muhammad Ali lighting the torch.
Didn't you ask this question in another forum? Do you have an issue with Atlanta?
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