Atlanta Olympics: See the Olympic venues 25 years later
It’s been 25 years since the city of Atlanta played host to the 1996 Summer Olympics. With the arrival of the Olympics, the city built several new venues to host all of the competitions.
Some of those venues still house sporting events today. Others fell into disrepair.
Here’s a look back.
Centennial Olympic Stadium
An American flag is waved during the Opening Ceremony of the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
The crown jewel of the 1996 Summer Olympics was Centennial Olympic Stadium. It hosted the opening and closing ceremonies in addition to track and field.
Carl Lewis 29 Jul 1996: Carl Lewis of USA in action during the men''s long jump competition at Olympic Stadium during the 1996 Centennial Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia. Lewis went on to win the gold medal. Mandatory Credit: Mike Powell /Allsport (Mike Powell/Getty Images)
25 years later, the stadium still stands.
Detroit Tigers v Atlanta Braves ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 02: A general view of the stadium during the game between the Atlanta Braves and the Detroit Tigers at Turner Field on October 2, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) (Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
Following the Olympics, the stadium became the home of the Atlanta Braves. Renamed Turner Field, the Braves played there from 1997 to 2016.
Louisiana v Georgia State ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 19: Signs encouraging social distancing are seen throughout the stadium prior to the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns vs. Georgia State Panthers game at Center Parc Stadium on September 19, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) (Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
When the Braves moved out of the stadium, the Georgia State Panthers moved in. It now serves as the home of the school’s football games.
Centennial Olympic Park
Olympic Torch Relay, Day 14 ATLANTA - JUNE 18: The Olympic flame burns in Centennial Park during Day 14 of the Athens 2004 Olympic Torch Relay on June 18, 2004 in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. The Olympic flame travels to 34 cities in 27 countries en route to the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. (Photo by Todd Warshaw/Getty Images) (Todd Warshaw/Getty Images)
Another venue built for the 1996 Olympics was Centennial Olympic Park. While it didn’t host any of the competitions, it served as a spot for visitors to enjoy music, games, food and to enjoy the spirit of the Olympics even without a ticket to a competition.
Centennial Olympic Park fireworks show
Today, the park remains. It serves not only as a tourist destination for people visiting downtown Atlanta; it also routinely hosts concerts, holiday shows and other events.
Georgia Dome Demolition ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 20: A view of the Georgia Dome implosion on November 20, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The Georgia Dome was built four years before the Olympics and housed Atlanta Falcons football. During the Olympics, the venue hosted basketball, gymnastics and handball.
Dominique Dawes 23 Jul 1996: Dominique Dawes of the USA stretches on the balance beam during her routine at the Georgia Dome in the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia. Mandatory Credit: Doug Pensinger /Allsport (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
The Georgia Dome was torn down in 2017 following the construction of Mercedes-Benz Stadium next door.
Georgia Tech Aquatic Center
Arena Pro Swim Series Atlanta - Day 1 ATLANTA, GA - MAY 04: Two lone coaches look on as their swimmers practice following the conclusion of day one of the Arena Pro Swim Series swim meet at the Georgia Tech McAuley Aquatic Center on May 4, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images) (Mike Comer/Getty Images)
This venue, built on the Georgia Tech campus, was constructed to host swimming and diving during the 1996 Olympics.
XXVI Summer Olympic Games An overhead view of the start of the Men's 200 metre backstroke final competition on 26th July 1996 during the XXVI Summer Olympic Games at the Georgia Tech Aquatic Center in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. (Photo by Simon Bruty/Allsport/Getty Images) (Simon Bruty/Getty Images)
Today, the facility still stands on the Georgia Tech campus and regularly hosts swimming events.
The Omni
Atlanta Scenic The Omni 17 Aug 1995: An exterior view of The Omni, home of the NBA's Atlanta Hawks, in Atlanta, Georgia. The Omni is the site of the volleyball the 1996 Summer Olympic Games, hosted by Atlanta. Mandatory Credit: Simon Bruty/Allsport (Simon Bruty/Getty Images)
The Omni was built in 1972 and housed Atlanta Hawks basketball, concerts and other events.
Italy v Holland 12 Aug 1996: The Dutch team celebrate their gold medal win over Italy during the mens Volleyball final at the Olympic Games at the Omni Coliseum in Atlanta, Georgia. Mandatory Credit: Allsport/ALLSPORT (Getty Images/Getty Images)
During the Olympics, volleyball was played in the Omni. The facility lasted one more year after the Olympics before it was torn down. Philips Arena now sits on the same spot.
Stone Mountain Tennis Center
Andre Agassi celebrates the gold ATLANTA - AUGUST 3: Andre Agassi celebrates after defeating Sergi Bruguera of Spain for the gold medal in the men's tennis singles final during the XXVI Olympic Games at the Stone Mountain Tennis Center on August 3, 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Gary M. Prior/Getty Images) (Gary M. Prior/Getty Images)
The facility was built to house the tennis competitions during the 1996 Olympics. Andre Agassi captured the gold medal at the event.
While the Stone Mountain Tennis Center did host a couple of other tennis events following the Olympics, it eventually was abandoned. It was demolished in 2018.
Lake Lanier Olympic Park
Olympics Rowing 21 Jul 1996: R. Obholzer, Johnnie Searle, Greg Searle and T. Foster of Great Britain cruise to frst place in the Men''s Coxless Four on Lake Lanier in Gainesville, Georgia. Mandatory Credit: Gary M Prior /Allsport (Gary M. Prior/Getty Images)
The Gainesville, Georgia. facility was built to host rowing events during the 1996 Olympics.
Today, the rowing facilities remain and the venue routinely hosts competitions and other outings.
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