Athens in Athens-Clarke County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Olympic Games in Athens

Photographed by David Seibert, July 12, 2008

1. Olympic Games in Athens Marker

Inscription. In summer 1996, Athens, Georgia, shone as the largest Olympic venue site outside Atlanta, as the state hosted the Centennial Olympic Games July 19 - August 4. Some 650,000 visitors bought tickets to events at three University of Georgia venues: soccer in Sanford Stadium, and volleyball and rhythmic gymnastics in Stegeman Coliseum. Competition here was highlighted August 1 by the first gold medal match in women's soccer, won by the United States team before a crowd of 76,481, to that date the largest ever to witness a women's sporting event. That week, Athens hosted eight soccer matches. Festive crowds filled the campus and downtown Athens daily. Earlier, UGA and Athens hosted Olympic teams from Australia and Sweden for training. On July 15, an estimated 50,000 people lined the streets and filled downtown as the Olympic Torch Relay traversed Clarke County. UGA alumnus and Olympics Chief Billy Payne carried the torch through Sanford Stadium and spoke to the huge crowd gathered in this plaza. Athens 96, a community coordinating group, organized hundreds of Athenians who volunteered many hours of service to make guests from

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around the world welcome in this Olympic Athens.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1996.

Location. 33° 57.609′ N, 83° 22.394′ W. Marker is in Athens, Georgia, in Athens-Clarke County. It is at the intersection of North Thomas Street and East Washington Street, on the right when traveling north on North Thomas Street. The marker is in front of the Athens Classic Center, a meeting and performing arts venue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 N Thomas Street, Athens GA 30601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Classic City Area

and in the Piedmont.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, September 25, 2022

2. Olympic Games in Athens Marker

distance of this marker: Athena (within shouting distance of this marker); Clarke County (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Athens Daily News (about 500 feet away); Gary A. Cleveland (GAC) (about 500 feet away); Church-Waddel-Brumby House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Dedicated to the Veterans of 1898 to 1902 (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Athens Double-Barrelled Cannon (approx. 0.2 miles away); Full Steam Ahead! (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Athens.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 25, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 28, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 2,006 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 28, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 2. submitted on September 25, 2022, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.