Atlanta and the Olympics: A One-Year Retrospective

Abstract

The 1996 Olympics provided a number of unique opportunities for the City of Atlanta. Although most cities will not have an opportunity to host the Olympics, the Atlanta experience can provide important lessons for any city considering similar large-scale events. Clearly, the Olympics stimulated the local economy in the years leading up to the Games; they also were quite successful in promoting tourism and attracting business to the region. The city acquired a new stadium and other sports facilities. The Games also were an incentive to make a number of improvements in urban design and infrastructure improvements. However, the redevelopment of inner city neighborhoods that had originally been anticipated was never achieved. Reliance on private funding and a fragmented organizational structure were key factors that limited Atlanta's ability to use the Olympics as a vehicle for redevelopment.