The Olympic and Paralympic Games are the world’s largest and most prestigious international sporting events. The Olympic Games are held every four years for athletes with a variety of abilities, while the Paralympic Games are held every four years for athletes with disabilities.
As the summer unfolds, NBC’s “Hometown Hopefuls” series takes centre stage for Olympics and Paralympics hopefuls from all fifty states, alongside Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. These remarkable athletes are striving towards the ultimate dream of representing their nation at the Paris 2024 Games.
Remembering the 1996 Atlanta Games
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Recently, NBC Olympics and Paralympics shared a post on X about the famous boxers of all time. They captioned it as,? LA28, will be the first summer Olympics and Paralympics in the U.S since Atlanta 1996. We?re taking a look back at those centennial games.”
.@LA28 will be the first Summer Olympics and Paralympics in the U.S. since Atlanta 1996.
We’re taking a look back at those Centennial Games. ??https://t.co/rl52CGoiho
? NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) November 2, 2023
Recently, 91-year-old Andrew Young, the former mayor of Atlanta and co-chair of the Olympic organizing committee, reminded about the 1996 Atlanta Games. In the 1996 Atlanta Games, the legendary Muhammad Ali played a significant role. Ali, despite his Parkinson’s diagnosis, made a memorable appearance. Sprinter Michael Johnson also made history by winning both the 200m and 400m events in Golden Shoes. The legendary Carl Lewis secured his fourth long jump gold medal, and Jackie Joyner-Kersee displayed her tenacity with a gutsy long jump bronze. The Games also saw tremendous success for U.S. women’s teams in gymnastics, basketball, soccer, and softball, further contributing to the memorable moments of the Atlanta Olympics.
From a hometown dream to a global success
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Beyond the achievements on the track and field, the Atlanta Games significantly contributed to the growth and transformation of the city. Hartsfield?Jackson International Airport, which became the world’s busiest, stands as a testament to Atlanta’s evolution into a world-class city.
via Imago
For Andrew Young, the legacy of the Atlanta Games was not merely about the competition. It was about the tireless efforts of countless individuals who worked to bring the Games to Atlanta.?My fondest memories of the Atlanta Games are the struggle that roughly a dozen people went through to get the Games,? he said. He further added from the early organizers of the bid to the over 100,000 volunteers who dedicated their time, the Games served as a unifying force, making Atlanta stand tall on the global stage.
Read More: North Korea?s Paralympic Squad Pulls Out of Asian Games Citing Disrespectful Treatment
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As the world eagerly anticipates the 2028 Los Angeles Games, the first Summer Olympics and Paralympics in the U.S. since Atlanta 1996, it is a fitting time to revisit the inspirational moments and enduring impact of the Centennial Games. These Games not only showcased the potential of athletes but also the boundless possibilities of a city that dared to dream and succeed.
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