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Major Figures from the 1996 Olympics Gather to Celebrate the Games’ 30th Anniversary

City leaders who helped Atlanta win its bid for the 1996 Olympics, including Ambassador Andrew Young and bid committee founder Billy Payne, joined Atlanta magazine on July 23 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Games. In a private room at Pricci, attendees enjoyed a four-course meal and shared memories from their push to bring the Olympics to the city.
a watercolor illustration of Bobby Rearden, Charlie Shaffer, Charlie Battle, Linda Stephenson, Tim Christian, Horace Sibley, Ginger Watkins, Andrew Young, and Billy Payne walk the “first lap” of the 1996 Olympics

Where are they now? The faces behind Atlanta’s Olympic miracle, 30 years later

Thirty years after the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, the people who transformed a long-shot bid into a global triumph reflect on the relationships, risks, and determination that helped make Atlanta an international city—and on the lasting impact the Games had on their own lives and careers.
The Games in Black and White

The Games in Black and White looks at the friendship between Andrew Young and Billy Payne

Like Atlanta’s unlikely journey to host the 1996 Centennial Olympics, for The Games in Black and White filmmakers George Hirthler and Bob Judson, the path to make the new documentary—premiering at the 49th annual Atlanta Film Festival Saturday, April 26 at the Rialto Theatre for the Arts—was equally long and complicated.
1996 Atlanta Olympics Izzy

What is it? An oral history of Izzy, the mascot marketing snafu of Olympic proportions

John Ryan settled on a character that was neither human nor animal. It resembled a blue tear, with hands sprouting three fingers and a thumb, lightning eyebrows, and a big, sheepish grin.
1996 Atlanta Olympics Opening Ceremony

Winning gold and chauffeuring Ali: Memories of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics

Athletes, musicians, local leaders, and metro Atlanta residents share their memories of the games—taking home the gold, chauffeuring Muhammad Ali, collecting pins, riding MARTA, performing for Bill and Hillary Clinton, and more.
1996 Olympics Billy Payne

Where are they now? Billy Payne

In 1990, when Atlanta beat out Athens to host the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games, it was an impressive come-from-behind win, even for a former University of Georgia football star. William “Billy” Porter Payne, an All-SEC defensive end for the Dawgs and Dunwoody real estate lawyer, dreamed up Atlanta’s quixotic bid and served as CEO of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games.

A Private Payne: For Better or Worse, Billy Payne Remains in the Spotlight

Not so long ago, Billy Payne was the most famous man in Atlanta. He was hailed as a hero, an improbable good old boy who had a dream and forced it to come true. He traveled the world, bridged the gaps between political correctness and corporate interests, made friends with royals dignitaries, helped revive a dying inner city and gave millions of people the experience of a lifetime. He did what he set out to do, and is trying to get back to what he used to do – carry on with his private life. In private.

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