The Games of the XXVI Olympiad, or 1996 Summer Olympics, were held in Atlanta, Georgia, from July 19, 1996, to August 4, 1996. As the first Summer Olympics were held in 1896, the 1996 Summer Olympics celebrated the 100th anniversary of the games. In addition to the sporting events, the games were marked by the Centennial Olympic Park Bombing.
Bombing
On July 27, 1996, a pipe bomb exploded at the Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta. One person was killed and another 111 people were injured. Initially, security guard Richard Jewell, who first discovered the bomb, was considered a main suspect in the attack. Jewell was later cleared and filed libel lawsuits against several medal outlets, including NBC and the New York Post.
Eric Rudolph, a member of the Army of God terrorist organization, was named the prime suspect by the FBI after his fingerprints matched those at the scene. Rudolph was a fugitive for seven years before he was apprehended in 2003.
Highlights
Track and field athlete Carl Lewis won his ninth gold medal, setting a new Olympic record.
Sprinter Michael Johnson won the 200 and 400 meter events and set a new world record in the 200 meter event.
Lai Shan Lee won a gold medal in wind surfing, which was the last medal won by Hong Kong before it became part of China.
Jackie Joyner-Kersee competed in her last Olympic Games, but was forced to withdraw after the first leg of the heptathlon with an injury.
The U.S. men's national basketball team, also called Dream Team 2, won its second consecutive gold medal.
Featured Video
Summer Olympics 1996 Sports
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References
Fast Facts
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Dates
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Location
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Fact:
Participating nations: 197
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Athletes: 10,318
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Sports contested: 26
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Events held
271
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Volunteers
47,466
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Fact:
Games opened by then-President Bill Clinton
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Fact:
Olympic torch lit by Muhammad Ali
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Final medal leader
