In just a few days, the Olympic flame will make its way to the Seine River, where tens of thousands of athletes converge to mark the opening of another summer games. The biggest sporting event in the world has not been on American soil for nearly 30 years, so in this episode we’re going to look back to Atlanta 1996, and I ask… when did the USA last host the Olympics?
Special Guests:
- David Wallechinsky, a historian, TV commentator, and co-founder & former President of the International Society of Olympic Historians.
In this episode, David shares his own personal experiences of attending and covering the Olympics. We discuss the corruption and scandal surrounding Atlanta's bid, the tragic Olympic park bombing, and why Atlanta has become a case study for how not to run an Olympic games.
Additional Resources:
BOOK: The Complete Book of the Olympics by David Wallechinsky and Jaime Loucky
WEBSITE: The International Society of Olympic Historians
WEBSITE: 11 Key Moments of Atlanta 1996
VIDEO: The 1996 Atlanta Olympics Opening Ceremony
If you enjoy this episode, why not listen back to these:
What Makes the Super Bowl so Super?
When Did the USA Last Host the Olympics?
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This episode is sponsored by What's Your Map
What's Your Map is the British Podcast Award-winning show from map expert Professor Jerry Brotton. In each episode, he invites a special guest to share a map that means something to them. It's a fascinating show, and you can listen to the new season right now: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/whats-your-map/id1766500219
