Emory and the Olympics

Full of triumph and tragedy, the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games have now passed into history. Even though no athletic competitions took place at the University, Emory was abuzz with Olympic activity. The torch blazed its way through campus, scores of international athletes trained in Emory facilities, members of the international press were housed here, and Oxford College welcomed some three hundred officials for the equestrian competition. Captured here are some of the images from Emory's Olympic experience.

This group of Emory students and alumni put their best feet forward in a step-dancing show as part of the Centennial Olympic Games opening ceremonies. "I was never sure how I could be involved in the Olympics," said Reginald Warren '96C. "This was a way I could be a part and do something I enjoy." Front row, from left: Georgia Jackson '96PH, Christian Gibbs '96C, Lamar Bryant Jr. '97C, Brittany Cunningham '97B, Wilma Tilson '96C, Danyella Fredrick '96C, Matheau Julien '96C, and Aniefiok Uyoe '94C. Back row, from left: Kadia Welch '96C, Tonia Tillery '96PH, Kealon Culbreath '96C, Reginald Warren '96C, Wenonah Wood '98C, and sociology doctoral student Nicola Dawkins. Photo by Kay Hinton

Crawford Long Hospital of Emory University served as one of three main health care sites inside the Olympic "ring," the imaginary circle encompassing most of the activity during the Games. Among the nearly fifty athletes treated at Crawford Long was U.S. gymnast Kerri Strug, who sprained her ankle during the dramatic team finals. The hospital also treated five victims of the July 27 pipe bomb explosion in Centennial Olympic Park. Photo by Ann Borden

The pool at the George W. Woodruff Physical Education Center was put to good use during the Olympic Games as a number of national teams used it to train for the synchronized swimming, swimming, and water polo competitions. Pictured here are members of the Mexican Olympic Synchronized Swimming Team practicing an aerial maneuver. Photo by Kay Hinton

During the Centennial Games, some six hundred alumni and their families and friends lived in the University Apartment Towers. Many of them took time out from their Olympic spectating to go to two parties at Lullwater hosted by President and Mrs. Chace. Attending one of the events were (from left) Leslie Booker, Paul Sabharwal '88C, and Andrea Smith. Photo by Ann Borden

One of the most thrilling moments of the Centennial Games was the gold medal victory in the team competition for the U.S. Women's Gymnastics squad, who lived on campus during the Olympics. President William M. Chace hosted a reception for the gymnasts in the Michael C. Carlos Museum after their win. In attendance were: (from left) coach Martha Karolyi, Amanda Borden, Amy Chow, Jaycie Phelps, and Dominique Dawes. (Not pictured is Shannon Miller.) A group of Special Olympics gymnasts was also invited to the event to meet members of the U.S. team. Photo by Annemarie Poyo

In the weeks leading up to the Olympic Games, Oxford College played host to sixty Estonian track and field athletes, coaches, and staff, some of whom are pictured here outside the Oxford dining hall. Faculty and staff extended a warm welcome to the group during a picnic on campus. Photo by Annemarie Poyo

Even though Emory did not host an Olympic event, the University was the site of the Paralympic boccia ball competition. More than sixty Paralympic athletes from eleven countries, including Anne Woffinden (above) of Great Britain, participated at the George W. Woodruff Physical Education Center. Photo by Kay Hinton