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
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
