Twenty years ago tonight, Atlanta officially welcomed the world to the Centennial Olympic Games with the Opening Ceremonies. It was kind of a big deal.
While a lot can be said (both good and bad) of those 17 days back in 1996, one thing can't be disputed: The Olympics left an indelible mark and hoisted Atlanta onto the global stage like nothing else could have. In commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the ceremonies, we take a look — in map form — at the sites that hosted various events within the city limits.
Built as the Olympic Stadium, the venue hosted the Opening and Closing ceremonies as well as numerous track and field events. Designed by local firms including Heery International and Rosser International, the venue was designed to be converted into the Braves' baseball stadium following the Olympics — unlike many Olympic stadiums that sit empty at the end of the Games. The stadium may soon be reborn as a venue for Georgia State University athletics, or a mixed-use venture.
Centennial Olympic Park served as the central gathering spot for visitors during the Olympic Games. At night, the park was packed with people enjoying music and the energy of the Games. Today, the park (a formerly blighted district) serves as the Games' most lasting legacy and a cultural hub for the entire region.
Designed in the 1960s by local firms Heery & Heery and FABRAP (predecessors of the two firms that later designed the Olympic Stadium) to serve as the home of the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta Braves, the stadium stood next door to the Olympic Stadium. For that summer, the two coexisted, with the old stadium hosting baseball, before it was torn down to make way for parking lots. Today, only the old outfield wall remains.
While soon to meet its maker, the then four-year-old venue hosted basketball, gymnastics, and handball during the Olympics. Designed for the Atlanta Falcons by a team of Atlanta architects including Heery International, Rosser FABRAP International — the firms behind both the Olympic Stadium and Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium — and tvsdesign.
Georgia Tech's McCamish Basketball Arena served as the boxing venue during the Olympics in Atlanta. Then known as Alexander Memorial Coliseum, the facility was overhauled and expanded in 2012.
All swimming and diving events were held at the specially built Aquatic Center on the campus of Georgia Tech. Today the facility is part of the Georgia Tech Campus Recreation Center and includes both the Aquatic Center and Student Recreation Center.
The Omni Coliseum, designed by tvsdesign as the home for the Atlanta Hawks and completed in 1972, served as the home of the volleyball indoor final during the Olympics. The facility was demolished in 1997 to make way for Philips Arena.
While really known as a convention center, the building played host to a ranged of indoor sporting events during the Olympics. The sprawling complex hosted fencing, handball, judo, shooting (as part of the modern pentathlon), table tennis, weightlifting, and wrestling.
Built for the Olympics, this fixture on the campus of Morehouse College hosted the early rounds of basketball during the Centennial Games. Designed by local firm Moody Noland, the arena is home to Morehouse's basketball team today.
Herndon Stadium, located on the campus of Morris Brown College at the Atlanta University Center, played host to the field hockey final game during the Olympics. Unfortunately, the stadium has been abandoned for more than a decade, since the school cut their football program in 2002.
Currently home to the Georgia State University Panthers basketball and volleyball teams, the GSU Sports Arena hosted badminton during the Olympics. The venue was originally built in 1972 to house physical education classes at the university.
Built as the Olympic Stadium, the venue hosted the Opening and Closing ceremonies as well as numerous track and field events. Designed by local firms including Heery International and Rosser International, the venue was designed to be converted into the Braves' baseball stadium following the Olympics — unlike many Olympic stadiums that sit empty at the end of the Games. The stadium may soon be reborn as a venue for Georgia State University athletics, or a mixed-use venture.
Centennial Olympic Park served as the central gathering spot for visitors during the Olympic Games. At night, the park was packed with people enjoying music and the energy of the Games. Today, the park (a formerly blighted district) serves as the Games' most lasting legacy and a cultural hub for the entire region.
Designed in the 1960s by local firms Heery & Heery and FABRAP (predecessors of the two firms that later designed the Olympic Stadium) to serve as the home of the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta Braves, the stadium stood next door to the Olympic Stadium. For that summer, the two coexisted, with the old stadium hosting baseball, before it was torn down to make way for parking lots. Today, only the old outfield wall remains.
While soon to meet its maker, the then four-year-old venue hosted basketball, gymnastics, and handball during the Olympics. Designed for the Atlanta Falcons by a team of Atlanta architects including Heery International, Rosser FABRAP International — the firms behind both the Olympic Stadium and Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium — and tvsdesign.
Georgia Tech's McCamish Basketball Arena served as the boxing venue during the Olympics in Atlanta. Then known as Alexander Memorial Coliseum, the facility was overhauled and expanded in 2012.
All swimming and diving events were held at the specially built Aquatic Center on the campus of Georgia Tech. Today the facility is part of the Georgia Tech Campus Recreation Center and includes both the Aquatic Center and Student Recreation Center.
The Omni Coliseum, designed by tvsdesign as the home for the Atlanta Hawks and completed in 1972, served as the home of the volleyball indoor final during the Olympics. The facility was demolished in 1997 to make way for Philips Arena.
While really known as a convention center, the building played host to a ranged of indoor sporting events during the Olympics. The sprawling complex hosted fencing, handball, judo, shooting (as part of the modern pentathlon), table tennis, weightlifting, and wrestling.
Built for the Olympics, this fixture on the campus of Morehouse College hosted the early rounds of basketball during the Centennial Games. Designed by local firm Moody Noland, the arena is home to Morehouse's basketball team today.
Herndon Stadium, located on the campus of Morris Brown College at the Atlanta University Center, played host to the field hockey final game during the Olympics. Unfortunately, the stadium has been abandoned for more than a decade, since the school cut their football program in 2002.
Currently home to the Georgia State University Panthers basketball and volleyball teams, the GSU Sports Arena hosted badminton during the Olympics. The venue was originally built in 1972 to house physical education classes at the university.
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