Atlanta 1996

The final athlete to lift the Olympic flame and light the huge cauldron in Atlanta was heavyweight boxing legend, Muhammad Ali.  Director Bud Greenspan again relies on detailed studies of individual athletes, and this film features conversations with sprinter Michael Johnson, British rowing ace Steven Redgrave, veteran French cyclist Jeannie Longo, and Ireland's controversial gold medallist in swimming, Michelle Smith. Archery, weight-lifting and gymnastics are also featured, as well as the men's marathon, won by South African Josia Thugwane.  These centennial Summer Games marked the fourth occasion on which a U.S. City hosted the Olympiad.
Bud Greenspan | 1997 | 206'

Atlanta 1996 | Olympic Games

Originals

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Atlanta 1996 Official Film | Atlanta's Olympic Glory

At the Atlanta Games, for the first time, every single National Olympic Committee recognised at the time is represented. Watch all the highlights here!

Highlights

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Best of Atlanta 1996

History-making Olympic champion Michael Johnson continues to connect with the next generation and loves making a difference

Athletics

Barcelona 1992 | Olympic Games

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United States’ Michael Johnson (extended)

At Atlanta 1996, the "Magnificent Seven," including Kerri Strug, become the first women’s gymnastics team to win gold for the USA.

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Strug helps 'Magnificent Seven' to gymnastics team gold

At the 1996 Atlanta Games, Andre Agassi cemented his place as one of the greatest tennis players of all time, adding a gold Olympic medal to his incredible CV. Representing the United States, Agassi triumphed over Sergi Bruguera of Spain 6-2, 6-3, 6-1, winning the singles Olympic title. Leander Paes of India received the bronze medal in an ealier match. Tennis Singles Men's Final - Atlanta 1996 Summer Olympics - Andre Agassi (USA), Sergi Bruguera (ESP), Leander Paes (IND)

Andre AGASSI

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Agassi Adds a Gold Medal to His Amazing CV

Atlanta 1996 - Overview Mosaic

Injuries to leading long jumpers Mike Powell and Iván Pedroso allow an in form Carl Lewis to thrill his home country with a gold medal winning jump in Atlanta. His leap of 8.50m is 21 cm better than Jamaica’s James Beckford and he becomes the third Olympian to win the same individual event on four occasions.

Carl LEWIS

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Athletics Men Long Jump Final Atlanta 1996 – Lewis

At the 1996 Olympics, Kye Sun triumphed over Japanese Ryoko Tamura in the gold medal match, becoming the youngest judoka to capture a gold medal. She went on to win the silver medal in the -57kg division at the 2000 Games, and four years later she earned the -52kg bronze medal in Athens. Judo -48kg Women's Final - Atlanta 1996 Summer Olympics - Sun Hui Kye (PRK), Ryoko Tamura (JPN), Amarilys Savon (CUB), Yolanda Soler (ESP)

Sun Hui KYE

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Sun Hui Kye Became the Youngest Judoka to Win Gold

Amy Van Dyken had her Olympic debut in swimming at the Atlanta 1996 Summer Games.
 
Before the 50 metres freestyle final began, she had already won three Olympic gold medals in the medley and freestyle 4x100m relays, and in the 100m butterfly race. Now, Amy Van Dyken had the world champion and a world record holder Le Jingyi from China beside her lane for the 50 metres final. 
 
Amy Van Dyken says that, at this moment, she told herself “Just go for it. Just have fun.” As she realised she had won the race - still in the water - Amy celebrated enthusiastically, showing she was definitely having fun.
 
Her fourth Olympic gold medal Amy made her the first American woman to win four gold medals in a single edition of the Olympic Games.

Amy VAN DYKEN

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Amy Van Dyken’s fourth gold medal in Atlanta 1996 - Women’s 50m freestyle

Alex Popov wins gold for Russia from Gary Hall Jr and Gustavo Borges with Pieter van den Hoogenband in fourth.

Swimming

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Men's 100m freestyle final at Atlanta 1996

Atlanta 1996 Overview Replays

The ceremony took place on 19 July in the Centennial Olympic Stadium. The ceremony featured John Williams, Celine Dion and Gladys Knight.

John WILLIAMS

Replay

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Atlanta 1996 - Opening Ceremony

The ceremony took place on August 4 at the Centennial Olympic Stadium. Among the performers were Little Richard and Stevie Wonder.

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Atlanta 1996 - Closing Ceremony

Ceremonies Atlanta 1996

Baseball Softball

Boxing

Football

Rhythmic Gymnastics

Tennis

Weightlifting

Algeria

Argentina

Brazil

Bulgaria

Canada

Cuba

Ghana

Italy

Jamaica

Nicaragua

Nigeria

Portugal

Spain

Sweden

Tonga

Tunisia

Türkiye

Ukraine

United States

The Women's Gold Medal Match took place on 02/08/1996 at the Stone Mountain Tennis Centre. Lindsay Davenport (USA) claimed the Gold with a 2-set victory over Arantxa Sanchez Vicario (ESP)

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Women's Gold Medal Match | Atlanta 1996 Replays

This event took place on 02/08/1996 at the Georgia Dome, Atlanta (USA) and was won by Spain.

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Group All-Around - Rhythmic Gymnastics | Atlanta 1996 Replays

Tunisia's Fathi Missaoui takes boxing bronze in defeat to Germany's Oktay Urkal

Fathi MISSAOUI

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Missaoui takes boxing bronze | Atlanta 1996

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BRA v NGR - Men's Football | Atlanta 1996 Replays

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NGR v ARG - Men's Football | Atlanta 1996 Replays

Hocine Soltani defeats Bulgaria's Tontcho Tontchev in tie-breaker for gold

Hocine SOLTANI

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Tie-breaker gives Algeria's Soltani top finish | Atlanta 1996

Wladimir Klitschko wins gold at Atlanta 1996 in the Super-heavyweight division against Paea Wolfgramm of Tonga.

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Klitschko v Wolfgramm (Gold Medal) -  Men's Super Heavyweight | Atlanta 1996

The former Inter and Atletico Madrid midfielder scores for Argentina against USA.

Diego SIMEONE

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Diego Simeone scores against USA | Atlanta 1996

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GHA v ITA - Men's Football | Atlanta 1996 Replays

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ARG v ESP - Men's Football | Atlanta 1996 Replays

Before he became a Real Madrid legend, Raul scored two goals for Spain in their 3-2 win over Australia at Atlanta 1996.

Raul GONZALEZ

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Raul scores double against Australia | Atlanta 1996

Naim Suleymanoglu won the Gold medal and set a new world record after an epic rivalry with Greece's Valerios Leonidis in the 64kg category.

Naim Süleymanoğlu

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The Pocket Hercules lifts 187.5kg | Atlanta 1996

Nicaragua storm to a fourth-placed finish in the baseball at Atlanta 1996, their best result at an Olympic Games.

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Nicaragua enjoy fourth-place baseball finish at Atlanta 1996

The Argentinian forward became the top scorer of the tournament together with Bebeto. After them, the Brazilian Ronaldo with five goals.

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Hernan Crespo scores six goals in six matches | Atlanta 1996

The Brazilian double silver medallist is the only player to feature at every Olympics since women's football was introduced at Atlanta 1996.

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Formiga: A life in the middle of the field

Bulgaria's Serafim Todorov wins gold and becomes the last boxer to defeat USA's Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Serafim TODOROV

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Mayweather loses against Todorov in featherweight semifinals | Atlanta 1996

Jamaican sprinter Merlene Ottey wins silver in both the 100m and 200m at Atlanta 1996.

Olympic Games Atlanta 1996

Atlanta 1996Highlights & Replays