what happened in the 1996 olympics
The 1996 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXVI Olympiad, took place in Atlanta, Georgia, USA from July 19 to August 4, 1996. It was a significant event in Olympic history as it marked the 100th anniversary of the modern Olympic Games.
Some of the notable events and moments from the 1996 Olympics include:
1. The opening ceremony featuring Muhammad Ali, considered one of the greatest athletes of all time, lighting the Olympic cauldron.
2. American gymnast Kerri Strug's memorable vault performance despite injuring her ankle during the team competition, securing the gold medal for the U.S. women's gymnastics team.
3. American swimmer Amy Van Dyken becoming the first woman to win four gold medals in a single Olympics in swimming.
4. The Dream Team, composed of NBA stars including Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, and Shaquille O'Neal, winning the gold medal in basketball.
5. Ukrainian pole vaulter Sergey Bubka winning his sixth consecutive world title in the event.
Overall, the 1996 Olympics showcased the athletic prowess of athletes from around the world and provided memorable moments that are still celebrated to this day.