What happened at the 1996 olympics
Several significant events occurred at the 1996 Olympics, which were held in Atlanta, Georgia:
1. The Centennial Olympic Park bombing: On July 27, a bombing occurred in Centennial Olympic Park, killing two people and injuring over 100 others. The bombing shocked the world and cast a shadow over the rest of the games.
2. Michael Johnson's double gold: American sprinter Michael Johnson became the first man to win gold in both the 200m and 400m sprints at the same Olympics. He set a world record in the 200m, finishing in 19.32 seconds.
3. Muhammad Ali lighting the Olympic cauldron: Boxing legend Muhammad Ali, who had won a gold medal at the 1960 Olympics, was chosen to light the Olympic cauldron at the opening ceremony. The moment was seen as a powerful symbol of unity and inspiration.
4. The Dream Team III: The US men's basketball team, also known as the "Dream Team III," dominated the competition, winning the gold medal with stars like Shaquille O'Neal, Charles Barkley, and David Robinson.
5. Kerri Strug's heroic vault: In the women's gymnastics team final, American gymnast Kerri Strug famously landed her final vault on a severely injured ankle, helping secure the gold medal for the US team.
Overall, the 1996 Olympics were a mix of triumph and tragedy, with memorable moments that continue to be talked about to this day.