1996 Summer Olympics

The 1996 Summer Olympics, formally known as the Games of the XXVI Olympiad and informally known as the Centennial Olympics, were held in 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Atlanta was selected in 1990 above Athens, Belgrade, Manchester, Melbourne and Toronto. Athens had hoped to organise the 100th anniversary of the modern Olympic Games. The IOC's vote for Atlanta was therefore slightly surprising; however, the reasoning behind this decision was that Athens' infrastructure could not be improved enough in time to successfully host the Games. It was later claimed (but never substantiated) that several of the IOC's key voters had been bribed by Atlanta executives in order to quash the other candidate cities' chances for the hosting bid. Other winning bids have since been similarly scrutinized.

Related Topics:
1996 - Atlanta - Georgia - United States - 1990 - Athens - Belgrade - Manchester - Melbourne - Toronto - Olympic Games - IOC - Infrastructure

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The 1996 Summer Olympics have been regarded by many elites and Olympic observers as being relatively unsuccessful. Problems of traffic congestion sometimes made travel between venues difficult. Though the Games made a financial profit, this was accomplished through a major advertising presence, particularly from Atlanta-based Coca-Cola, which caused numerous observers to consider the Games "over commercialized". More seriously, the Centennial Olympic Park bombing of July 27, 1996, killed spectator Alice Hawthorne and wounded 111 others, and elicited the death of Melih Uzunyol by heart attack. In his closing speech, Juan Antonio Samaranch, head of the IOC, for the first time did not describe the games as being the "best ever." However, the citizens of Atlanta and the United States enjoyed the games and the hospitality that came with them.

Related Topics:
Coca-Cola - Centennial Olympic Park bombing - July 27 - 1996 - Melih Uzunyol - Juan Antonio Samaranch

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The Olympiad's official theme, Summon the Heroes, was written by John Williams, making it the third Olympiad for which he has composed. The song "The Power of the Dream", composed by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds and David Foster, with words by Linda Thompson was performed in the opening ceremony by Céline Dion accompanied by Foster and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Centennial Choir.

Related Topics:
Summon the Heroes - John Williams - The Power of the Dream - Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds - David Foster - Linda Thompson - Céline Dion - Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Centennial Choir

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The closing ceremony featured Gloria Estefan singing "Reach", the official theme song of the 1996 Olympics.

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