The Games of the XXVI Olympiad were held in Atlanta, Georgia. From the beginning, Atlanta seemed to be a long shot to host the Games, as it was only 12 years previously that the games had been in Los Angeles. Many also thought that the ‘Centennial Games’ would return to Athens as a symbolic gesture to the host city of the first modern games.

More than 10,000 athletes from nearly  200 nations participated in these games. The games were marred by the Olympic Park bombing that claimed the lives of two people.

The chief complaint of the Atlanta Games was the commercialization of the Games. Many felt that Games were nothing but American capitalism run amok.

The United States women’s gymnastics team would win its first team gold medal. The all-around was won by Lilia Podkopayeva, and she added another gold on floor exercise, the first women’s gymnast to do that since Nadia. Shannon Miller won gold on balance beam, marking the first time that an American gymnast won gold in a contested Olympics. But the moment that everyone remembers from gymnastics is Kerri Strug completing her second vault on a badly injured ankle, to help the American team secure the gold medal.

Amy Van Dyken became a household name at these games winning 4 golds in swimming. Michelle Smith from Ireland won 3 gold and 1 bronze but her wins are suspect as she was later banned for tampering with a urine sample.

Michael Johnson was a breakout star of the track and field events winning the 200 and 400. This feat was also accomplished on the women’s side by Marie-Jose Perec. Canadian Donovan Bailey won the 100; and Carl Lewis won the long jump for the fourth time, tying Al Oerter by winning the same event at four consecutive Olympics.

The United States won the medal count with 101 total medals 44g, 32s, 25b. Russia was second with 63 medals 26g, 21s, 16b. Germany finished with 65 medals but trailed in golds, finishing with 20g, 18s, 27b.