I just can't help myself, I have Olympic fever. Due to the cyclical nature of the event, many of us measure our lives by the Olympics. I remember Rome, and Mexico City and Munich and Montreal and the list goes on and on.
In 1996, the Olympic City was Atlanta Georgia. I lived and worked in the midst of all of the action and excitement. It was a time when our city welcomed the world with open arms, and the world accepted our invitation.
One of the most interesting things that I discovered about the games was that there were several events that you could watch for free! Four of them occurred two blocks from my office. The Men's and Women's Cycling Road Races and the Men's and Women's Time Trials came right down Northside Drive and they made the loop fifteen times!
The difference in the events is simple. In the Road Races, everyone races together. In the Time Trials, the cyclists race individually against the clock. Because the course meanders through the city, there are plenty of excellent vantage points.
So all I had to do to witness these events was walk two blocks, and there, right in front of me, were the Olympic Games. I can't describe how that felt, it was eerie and exciting at the same time. No long lines, no expensive tickets, no waiting, just pure competition at its finest. And we were even provided with programs so we could identify the competitors!
I did attended many ticketed even\s, but my fondest memory of the 1996 Olympics will always be the 4 Gold Medal events that I watched on the streets that I traveled every day! It's a memory that I will continue to cherish.
Photo: The Peleton courtesy of RichardWeisser.com
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Richard Weisser, Broker, Associate Broker, Auctioneer, E-Pro, CE Instructor |
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All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Coweta Fayette Real Estate Better Homes and Gardens Metro Brokers, Newnan Georgia. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2009. Richard Weisser REOS, E-Pro. licensed Auctioneer. 770-827-6225.
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Richard,
We went to the 1996 Olympics with a church group and had a blast. We went to some of the events and especially like the ballgames that we went to. Great memories of Atlanta and the Olympics.
Richard, very, very cool! I am on olympic nut myself.
Bo
Richard: That really must have been something to be able to walk into your community and have an Olympic event going on.
Richard, you are so gifted with your camera. This is a great photo.
Richard, I would personally love to go to the Olympics some day. As a spectator, that is. I've run a marathon, but certainly not at an Olympic pace!
Don...
Then we probably crossed paths at some point because I was EVERYWHERE in downtown Atlanta! Thanks.
Bo...
I want to look away, but I can't! lol and thanks.
Chris Ann...
It's a feeling that you cannot describe! Thank you.
Susan...
Thanks. Of course, in 1996 it was film! I appreciate the kudos.
Brian...
Whoo-hoo ... if you can walk a Marathon, you're in great shape, let alone run one. I'm impressed!
Richard....ah yes...the Atlanta Olympics! They seem like a century ago!! But to walk downtown on the streets with thousands of people.....to watch the US team play basketball ( a total fluke we ended up at that game) I had a bunch of changes to attend other events that were farther out (like in Conyers at the Horse Park, and didn't do it....Big regret there!
Like I just posted on someone else's post....how come our Olympic architecture is so blah!!!! We need some creative people in Atlanta!
Richard, that is very cool pictures...how wild would that be to see that coming down the road!
Richard...would love to go sometime...China would have been a good place to go!@
Richard,
So glad you got to experience so much of the Olympics, and free too. That's the best because the athletes you saw weren't "performing" for you but actually competing.
Steve
Thom...
I think that the legacy of the Atlanta Games will always be with us. I'll be writing more about the 1996 Olympics over the next two weeks!
Jeremy...
It was wild! Thanks.
Bill...
I wonder if they have "American" take-out in China? THX
Steve...
Yes they were, and it was great. Thank you!
I have the fever, as well! There has never been an opportunity for me to attend an event but my eyes are pealed!!! I still am in awe of Dana Torres.
Richard, I am jealous! I don't believe I will ever have the Olympics held in my hometown! I was watching some badmitton the other night....amazing!
Mel...
How could anyone NOT be in awe of Ms. Torres? What an incredible feat in such a physically demanding sport!
Lori...
I saw weightlifting, table tennis, baseball, track and field. swimming and the aforementioned cycle races! It was all GREAT!