Atlanta
Olympic Rings and Torch
July 19, 1996
It's not actually July 19, 1996 as I write this, however that was the day I went
to the Olympics' Opening Ceremonies with my grandma. We got front row tickets
in the lottery and were within feet of all the excitement and close to Muhammad
Ali as he lit the Olympic flame.
After the Opening Ceremonies, we spent the week going to as many events as possible,
many of which we knew nothing about and had little to no interest in the sport,
but the atmosphere was fantastic. We attended everything from fencing to track,
water polo to soccer; anything that appealed to us. What makes the Olympics so entertaining
is not the competition (although that helps), but the people in the city. There
are people from every country, speaking every language, its like a microcosm of
the planet... or at least a microcosm of the people in the world with money who
are interested in the Olympics, but that's about as close as it comes to bringing
the world together.
The Olympics are a time to set our difference aside and join together as one people,
which is after all who we are. I don't understand how once the Olympics end,
people start fighting again, or perhaps a better question is why the Olympics stop
the fighting. Whatever the reason, the Olympics were a blast.
Flag at the airport
Opening Ceremonies at 1996 Olympics
Olympic Stadium
Opening Ceremonies at 1996 Olympics
Janet Evans with the torch - Opening Ceremonies at 1996 Olympics
Olympic Flag