i am a native atlantan i was 12 when the olympics came here my family was at a friends apartment in midtown and we could hear the music and the crownds it was amazing and i think for the time they did a amazing jobs i know alot of people that have said they had the most fun at the atlanta olympics
Nostalgia!!!! When i saw this ceremony, i was in korea. I didn't understand deep history of America, till i moved here. Atlanta olympic was awesome, visuals, music and the mood!! I still get goosebump when i watch it. After this olympic, Altanata is one of city that i want to go visit..:)
I still don't understand why the IOC went for Atlanta and returning to USA just 12 years after they had already hosted the Olympic Games!!! Athens should have hosted in 1996! And I hope they (Athens) will be the hosts in 2096!
I think USA should host the games again by 2036 but in a new city. New York would be my favourite, but even San Francisco and Chicago would be great hosts. Unfortunately USA won't host in 2020 as North America and South America are regarded as the "Americas" by the IOC.
@kelankw2 Main reason the IOC chose Atlanta for 1996 Olympics was money and infrastructure.The IOC Evaluation Commission ranked Atlanta's infrastructure and facilities the highest, while IOC members said that it could guarantee large television revenues similar to the success of the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
AND TALK ABOUT RUINING THE THE END! The commentator just had to go ahead with ALl the spoilers: "Yeah just so you don't get a nice surprise in the end, all the different colours will be forming the Olympic rings & all the white ones will form into a 100 so there's no point in watching now..." or words to that effect! Asshole! >.>
NOSTALGIA.... I wish the commentators had STFU!!!! Ruined the magic for the folks at home... it's like blah blah blah... anyways I'm glad I can still watch this & remember how excited I got when I watched this at the age of 11.
I was part of that Opening. (I was with the Blue Tribe in the opening Call to the Nations. BTW, a lot fo backstage secrets are revealed in my book SECRETS OF THE OLYMPIC CEREMONIES, available from amazon. Check it out; it's a fantastic book!!
@MrDetwaa you are a moron. Way to go. Atlanta was the best olympics. Why because I was there and saw many games. Atlanta put on a good show. You just sat at home. Bitch.
I'm in Tampa. We tried to be 1 of the host cities for 2012 when the USOC came down to see what we had to offer. yeah, not what they'd expect. BUT, with our new high-speed rail coming to central Florida in the near future, we might just get our shot sometime down the road.
@FizzleYap There's nothing significant about any of the places that hosts the Olympics you cocksucking swing. There isn't a damn thing significant about Sydney, Torino, or Beijing, except the fact that half their population is dirt poor and work in sweat factories. They don't choose who hosts the Olympic based on whether they are significant. There wasn't a damn thing significant about LA either, except Crips and Bloods.
@FizzleYap Maybe since many olympic ceremonies were held in the Northern States, they wanted to send a light on the South, and since Atlanta is one of the most advanced cities in the south, as well as the US, it would be a great idea
@supra16 Nope! That would be Barcelona or Sydney. Just because you're too fucking ignorant to know what the ceremony was about, doesn't make it strange.
Meses de practica, cansancio, pero al final valio la pena, un verdadero espectaculo, Atlanta se lucio! months of practice, tireness, but all worth it at the end, an incredible show. Atlanta you rock!!!!
sin duda creo q es uno de los mejores opening aunke pudo haber aprovechado mejor los elementos que tenian, ademas que muy sobrado las telas que bajan por encima del publico eso no me gusto
you people, the olympics is meant to bring people TO GE THER! and you guys with your ridiculous comments like " omg this one was better than that one" is tearing the world apart, so just appreciate the fact that in that day, the world was together for a few hours :D
oh I know, but the choreographers always take liberties and they have come to have defacto representations. I was implying that these selections were based on skin colour.
@wl03bu They arent they Green and Red respectively, the colous are based on the 5 continents of the Olympic Rings and have been since Antwerp Olympics -
Except for the fireworks, the rest of that opening has been the most beautiful and charming ceremony I´ve seen in my life. The version of your Hymn is impressive!!
You need to do some research,It wasn't dark for Barcelona's ceremony,Seoul's ceremony,Los Angeles,Montreal,Moscow or Munich. Oh and great plan enclose the stadiums light the torch and blow the place sky high.
@MrDetwaa It was the summer time. If they waited until it got dark it would have been close to 9pm local time. Way too late to be make for a good broadcast. Not to mention disturbing nearby residents with late night fireworks. This once happened during a Braves game that went into extra innings. Fireworks went off at 3am!
The commentators did too much talking. I remember seeing this in 1996. It was really surprising for something arranged by southerners; very cosmopolitan.
Maybe Microsoft will redesign the sound connection for Television. This way you could pull up an equalizer and mute the commentators if you wanted to and still hear the ceremony.
@gemini9921 If you venture down to Atlanta you may find out that we are very cosmopolitan and experience alot of growth or sprawl if u want. lol back then i was surprised too.
Honestly rwmiosyn is a dumb ass. This was the best opening ceremonies. Its not so fucking stupid and crazy like the Chinese but I bet rwmisyn is Chinese or French so there you go. He probably has down syndrome. Give Atlanta another Summer Olympics!
Atlanta 1996 dejó mucho que desear, le quedaron grandes los JJOO Barcelona 1992 será siempre el fantasma de Atlanta 1996 Atenas 2004 Barcelona 1992 Sydney 2000 Beijing 2008 Seúl 1988 México 1968 Roma 1960 Tokio 1964 ¡¡¡vamos Río 2016!!!
As a citizen of the United States, I am biased towards Chicago, but I would love to see Rio get it simply because South America has yet to host ANY Olympics
@cranberychips Have you ever been to Atlanta? If you haven't been ALL throughout Atlanta then you should just shut up and stop pretending you know everything
It is just a terrible carnival, what a mess. Sydney was really better by far than atlanta, by the way the games of 1996 should be in Athens, remember.
bristoc, I was there for the Atlanta Olympics and I had the time of my life. I have to agree that the 2000 Sydney games were far better, but the Beijing games were the best.
Beijing was 1/2 fake a typical chinese mentality. Atlanta may not be the best but at least everything you see were real not recorded or computer generated.
"Somebody on this planet, about 600 B.C. found some pieces of 'R6'. I don't know how they found it; either by watching madmen or something. But since that time they have used it. And it became what is known as Christianity. The man on the cross. There was no Christ!"
- Scientology Class 8 Course, Lecture 10, 3 Oct 1968 ("R6" refers to an alien psychiatric thought implant)
In his own voice:
watch?v=qrMJUDkDWqc
Why does L. Ron Hubbard disparage other religions, Rustyforexman?
Just watching this brings tears to my eyes and will always remember that these were the greatest 16 days of my life! I live in Atlanta and I miss this everyday!! And every time I go to a braves game and pass by the Olympics and the Touch always reminds me!!! Julius923...Thank you for letting me relive this!!!
atlanta 1996 opening ceremony is the best ever opening ceremony in the history of the olympic games... i love particularly the 'call to the nations' segment, it embodies the real spirit of the olympics as well as the humanity....
No way!!!! Atlanta is good, indeed, but it's the "American version" of the Barcelona Opening. Look at the schedule, it's almost the same, inclusive the colors they used... Despite of that it was my first Olympic Ceremony I watched and I was attonished... I like it all the way!
well ok my friend... the first olympic ceremony i watched is the barcelona opening, since then, im became a fan of the olympic movement... we have our personal choices of whom is the best to staged an olympic games... but for me, its atlanta... well my friend, what can you say about beijing?
well ok my friend... the first olympic ceremony i watched is the barcelona opening, since then, im became a fan of the olympic movement... we have our personal choices of whom is the best to staged an olympic games... but for me, its atlanta... well my friend, what can you say about beijing?
I disagree Beijing having the best for an Olympic opening ceremony. True, It was spectacular and very techy at best, however, it lacked the spirit, art and drama of the Olympics, and that was fulfilled during the ceremonies in Athens. I still find Athens' Opening as the best one.
i AGREED that beijing is NOT the best olympics ever... but i DISAGREED with you finding athens as the best one...i think its a toss-up between atlanta(the centennial games) and sydney(the games of the new millennium) as having the best olympic games ever...
ok... i was referring to the opening ceremonies too... it is the opportunity of the host nation to showcase their culture and traditions, and its really the pride and honor of the host nation... my personal ranking of the best opening ceremonies ever are 1. atlanta, 2. sydney 3. athens... well, what do you think of beijing opening?
Athens' Opening Ceremonies still tops my list. Especially the later part of the artistic cermony with the fountain and DNA and all. Atlanta? I found it very... "commercialized." Beijing? Although it was great, especially the use of performers en masse, I find it "cold" and not so inspiring. Sydney's take was very entertaining, I really liked the soundtracks used in the ceremonies.
I remember this part of the opening ceremony, seemed like we sat there forever waiting for it to start. I think we were there over 2 hours before they began, but well worth the experience.
I loved every minute of it, mostly b/c I made so many international friends. Atlanta had its critics for some reason. It was the underdog, and I think the city did very well in hosting the events.
Guys- this was 12 yrs ago... It was great for that time and an honor for those of us in the American South to host it- I was in school in GA at this time and had lots of friends in Olympic honours band and choir... They had to put in lots of work - some for yrs, so I think of their hardwork and sacrifice and still think of this as great...
Plus seeing it in person at Olympic Stadium (Turner) was cool!!!!
@sportysocrchik98 I agree. No other Southern State had hosted an Olympic game of some sort, so having one be in the main city of the south was a huge honor.
I agree. China was trying to intimidate the world (especially with their countdown). Atlanta was Ideal for the Centennial because of it's Southern heritage. The South is part of what I call the "Cultural Axis" (meant possitively)with Italian, in which the Earth revolves around culturally. :)
beijing had performers on an exponential level and was very clean/grandiose. but, altogether, i found it very dry - there's something beautiful about how human atlanta's opening ceremony was. it felt personal and real rather than clinically perfect, which beijing's was.
Has anyone film footage of the Jon-Secada-Incident at the opening ceremony of olympics 96 Atlanta? He got stuck in a stage elevator or something like this and only his head was shown. Anyone remember? Can´t find anything on web, please help!
I never undertstood why everybody wants to make the ceremonies such a competition. I always felt that the opening ceremonies were the time where we came together as one world. To welcome the world to the particular host country. To maybe experience a bit of that host country's culture and be amazed at how different and similar we all are. Not better or worse. Just different. Still elicting a feeling of connection.
You're a bit confused, biglittlekid. When your country or city hosts the Olympics, you should be honored and do your absolute best to entertain the world with a brilliant opening ceremony. Crap like this doesn't cut it. I wonder, how DO those ridiculous costumes represent American culture? Spending only TWO WEEKS to rehearse is inexcusable.
The actual ceremony though, it's definately different. Love the music and the flowing colours of the different continents. Such interesting uniforms too.
Excelente!!!! Lo recuerdo como si fuera ayer, y ya han pasado 12 años!!! Para los niños que participaron en ese espectaculo seguro fue una experiencia inolvidable! I Love this!!!
i wish i was one of those people dancing in the tribes. i really really love this part! they're so funny and wacky but in the end they form something so beautiful.
i was one.. "Green Tribe!" Wacky and funny indeed.. thats what head to toe costumes in the peak of mid-summer Atlanta heat coupled with the fact we were coming off of several 13 hour dress rehearsals (noon to 1 am.. we ran the show twice.. TWICE! during all that time!) Anyway, we had like 2 or 3 of them during the last 5 or 6 days before the ceremony. It was exhilarating and exhausting all at once. Very special experience, for sure. Ill never forget it.. esp. with vids like this! :)
Hi there...I was in the "Black Tribe". It was one of the greatest experiences I've ever had and I treasure each moment even the 13 hour rehearsals. It was sooooo much fun.
Yeah it was. I do admit, though, that I have selective memory about the whole experience. I remember all the good but don't think about the bad too often. Like how we volunteered countless hrs to practice & perform, but then when a lot of us cast members started asking about whether or not we'd get some sort of video of the OC itself, practices maybe, etc.. well, NOPE! And a tshrit? HA! That was asking A LOT. Remember the crappy white shirts they gave us to shut us up about it? So cheap & ugly.
And don't even get me started on how I couldn't even look at another bottle of Aquafina or Powerade after the OC. And how about how we had to be bussed into metro parking lots when they closed down ATL streets like a wk or 2 before the show. Then we'd get bussed from those lots into the DOME. Where we'd sit for HOURS, just to get on another bus to take us to the Olympic Stadium for practice. Then reverse and repeat that process at end of practice to go home. Plus, the 2 or 3 bomb threats we had.
But, as much as that kind of stuff wore on my last nerve back then, its the kind of stuff that I now look back on and laugh.. it was just as much a part of that crazy "adventure" as any of the good stuff. So, muriel74, do you still have your costume? I do. I've thought about selling it if I could find a collector somewhere that would want to buy it. Haven't tried yet though. Oh, and how did you get involved? Were you part of a group or team that tried out and made it? Where are you from? :)
Yes, I still have my costume. I was in a college dance company that auditioned. Some of the people in my group exchanged their masks for the hats the Australians had on during the parade of athletes (talk about stupid). I don't think I'll ever sell mine. I love it too much. I remember the powerade (which I hate) and the water being Crystal not Aquafina...stale cold cut sandwiches and granola bars and rehearsals at Tri-Cities High School. I'm from Savannah, GA and I own a dance studio.
An absolutely gorgeous opening ceremony: The concept of the nations being represented by magic spirits draped in yards of diaphanous, billowing silk is one of the most stirring and even moving images I've ever seen in a live show. The spiritual music, followed by the percussion band, followed by the youth of Atlanta all running onto the field and spelling out the 5 rings and "100" (for 100 years)- it was just lovely.
Aww! thankyou soo much for this!..i recorded it on VHS but it can't be played anymore!..i rember this was absolutely awesome..so far it has been the best opening ceremony i've ever seen!!!
a super-spactacle dressed up with tones of kitch and the lack of respect towards the frugality that these games were meant to offer to the world. Atlanta was the big example of how americans always balance everything to hollywood. Yes, a nice spectacle for the eye but there is no culture to be found in this ceremony. Not like ceremonies of european olympics such as Athens, Moscow and Barcelona. Europe's got the culture, America's got Hollywood.
My friend, that is a matter of someone's point of view. I wasn't meant to mention any references, but i was talking about the feeling left by a superspactacle like this. It is a huge celebration and obviously millions were spent on this, but is there anything more to see or understand behind what is to be seen on this ceremony?
Yes, i would say that Greek Theatre has more culture than Hollywood. But this doesn't mean that i am another Greek moron supporting its own civilisation. Sheakspeare (forgive my spelling) is also more cultural than Hollywood and generally classic theatre. But talking about ceremonies, Athens has shown how better can a spectacle by just showing what's necessary - following the rules of frugality that greek antiquity has taught.
Hollywood has a lot of material that could make a brilliant and tasteful performance (not that it belongs in the Olympics). However, there was little "Hollywood" to find in this ceremony, if any. Queenmusicfreak is just equating America with Hollywood.
My friend i was just using the word "hollywood" to make a symbolism. I wasnt using it in strict sense. Of course there wasntindiana jones and titanic in the ceremony. I was trying to mention that this ceremony was nothing but an empty cheerful show, a parade made up only to catch the eye and not the soul or the mind. I thin i made myself more clear now.
Thank you so much for posting this! i remember it as the best opening I've ever seen and my old VHS recording of it has been played so much it's gotten so grainy. It's so good to see this again!
They were the worse Olympic games ever. Highly disorganized.
quistristan 3 weeks ago
I miss the '90s.
raran44 1 month ago 3
the centenar 100 years
Angeltope100 1 month ago
wtf 88 degrees?!
magma2680 2 months ago
now these were the good times
magma2680 2 months ago
how old are the kids now....
Rahmanseth85 2 months ago
Atlanta totally lost the point, it looked like a circus instead of an Olympic opening ceremony!
reimonZzito 2 months ago
I had the opportunity to be apart of the Yellow Tribe and still smile and get chill bumps watching this 15 years later :)
Qtredgirly 3 months ago
I was in the opening ceremonies! I was in the red group :) What an experience
HOLLEYLJ 4 months ago
I was 4 in '96 but I remember this. This is the reason I wanted to play the drums from then on. I still play today.
raran44 5 months ago
i am a native atlantan i was 12 when the olympics came here my family was at a friends apartment in midtown and we could hear the music and the crownds it was amazing and i think for the time they did a amazing jobs i know alot of people that have said they had the most fun at the atlanta olympics
1105nick 5 months ago
asia's vocal sounds like a robot
australia's sounds like a woman who likes the letter E (think Sesame Street)
europe's sounds like somebody doing a voodoo call while giving birth
africa's sounds like an African American gospel singer pouring her soul out
the americas sounds like somebody doing meditation.
HTownCountryFan 6 months ago
I remember trying to stay awake long enough when I was 9 years old to see the USA enter the stadium. I couldn't make it LOL.
supreme2005 6 months ago
Nostalgia!!!! When i saw this ceremony, i was in korea. I didn't understand deep history of America, till i moved here. Atlanta olympic was awesome, visuals, music and the mood!! I still get goosebump when i watch it. After this olympic, Altanata is one of city that i want to go visit..:)
jungwon2006 6 months ago
Artistically I think this was one of the best opening ceremonies. It was wonderful to watch and expereince.
Askanison29 8 months ago
this commentator is dumb - he says that green is Australia and blue is Europe. Everyone know that green is Europe and blue is OCEANIA!
kelankw2 9 months ago
I still don't understand why the IOC went for Atlanta and returning to USA just 12 years after they had already hosted the Olympic Games!!! Athens should have hosted in 1996! And I hope they (Athens) will be the hosts in 2096!
I think USA should host the games again by 2036 but in a new city. New York would be my favourite, but even San Francisco and Chicago would be great hosts. Unfortunately USA won't host in 2020 as North America and South America are regarded as the "Americas" by the IOC.
kelankw2 9 months ago
@kelankw2 Main reason the IOC chose Atlanta for 1996 Olympics was money and infrastructure.The IOC Evaluation Commission ranked Atlanta's infrastructure and facilities the highest, while IOC members said that it could guarantee large television revenues similar to the success of the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
WDI2008 8 months ago
1:10 go 1980 moscow!
international153 10 months ago
AND TALK ABOUT RUINING THE THE END! The commentator just had to go ahead with ALl the spoilers: "Yeah just so you don't get a nice surprise in the end, all the different colours will be forming the Olympic rings & all the white ones will form into a 100 so there's no point in watching now..." or words to that effect! Asshole! >.>
TheAmethystSkies 11 months ago
NOSTALGIA.... I wish the commentators had STFU!!!! Ruined the magic for the folks at home... it's like blah blah blah... anyways I'm glad I can still watch this & remember how excited I got when I watched this at the age of 11.
TheAmethystSkies 11 months ago
This brings back so many memories of the 6 year old me watching this.
ModDollyRocker 11 months ago
they never mention the designers... It's more important to mention that the wind machines used were the same in Tornado?!!!
Peter Minshall is a great Mas' designer!! justice done.
joannarachelmargot 1 year ago
they never mention the designers... It's more important to mention that the wind machines used were the same in Tornado?!!!
Peter Minshall is a great Mas' designer!! justice done.
joannarachelmargot 1 year ago
I was part of that Opening. (I was with the Blue Tribe in the opening Call to the Nations. BTW, a lot fo backstage secrets are revealed in my book SECRETS OF THE OLYMPIC CEREMONIES, available from amazon. Check it out; it's a fantastic book!!
mylesag2 1 year ago
@bhasinuscuscable Not my Jesus i'm agnostic.
xXRackas321Xx 1 year ago
Believe it or not Olympic Stadium in Atlanta would become the Braves newest ballpark, Tunner Field.
RockeyJesse20 1 year ago
@bhasinuscuscable And India will never again host a commonwealth games.
xXRackas321Xx 1 year ago
@xXRackas321Xx hahaha too true. i had a good laugh with your comment. i don't think Calcutta India will hold the cricket either.
belcunto 1 year ago
Thank you so much for posting this video! I haven't seen this in over 14 years!
denpolicarpio 1 year ago
...what does this have to do with the u.s. really?
KwanJan12 1 year ago
worst olympic ceremony nxt to vancouver... my opinion... seoul and athens and sydney are the best...
scorpioninpink 1 year ago
your very stupid in saying that
@scorpioninpink
SuperBearita 1 year ago
desgraçado desbloqueia ai............
marselmt 1 year ago
I Love this. My State and My City i'll love it forever even if i go to school somewhere else.
jvdkl 1 year ago
I was in the yellow tribe and still have my costume :)
Qtredgirly 1 year ago
@MrDetwaa you are a moron. Way to go. Atlanta was the best olympics. Why because I was there and saw many games. Atlanta put on a good show. You just sat at home. Bitch.
Drewman85 1 year ago
What does he say at 5.34? Is it what I think it is... because that's hilarious.
eamonn1708 1 year ago
i really love atlanta olympic games
SuperBearita 1 year ago
Thank you for placing this video, the best inauguration that I have seen .. a greeting from venezuela..
ArisRuiz 1 year ago
Atlanta's Olympic games were great, I hope they choose atlanta again in the future now that technology and transportation is more advanced
carebear386 1 year ago 14
I'm in Tampa. We tried to be 1 of the host cities for 2012 when the USOC came down to see what we had to offer. yeah, not what they'd expect. BUT, with our new high-speed rail coming to central Florida in the near future, we might just get our shot sometime down the road.
SAMMYJS991 1 year ago
@carebear386 yes they were
dudeyfeb88coach 1 year ago
@carebear386 Me too.
rickyony 1 year ago
that was pretty cool
alh2k09 1 year ago
why the FUCK would you EVER put an olympic ceremony in Atlanta...there is nothing significant about it
FizzleYap 1 year ago
oh its only the home of the Great Dr. Martin Luther King Jr AND World Series Atlanta Braves..but yeah i guess YOU wouldnt think that was significant
Narkesia 1 year ago
@FizzleYap There's nothing significant about any of the places that hosts the Olympics you cocksucking swing. There isn't a damn thing significant about Sydney, Torino, or Beijing, except the fact that half their population is dirt poor and work in sweat factories. They don't choose who hosts the Olympic based on whether they are significant. There wasn't a damn thing significant about LA either, except Crips and Bloods.
So take a hike you stupid sack of shit.
HTHAMMACK1 1 year ago
@FizzleYap Maybe since many olympic ceremonies were held in the Northern States, they wanted to send a light on the South, and since Atlanta is one of the most advanced cities in the south, as well as the US, it would be a great idea
333Simpson 1 year ago
one of the strangest ceremony ever
supra16 2 years ago
@supra16 Nope! That would be Barcelona or Sydney. Just because you're too fucking ignorant to know what the ceremony was about, doesn't make it strange.
HTHAMMACK1 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
moscow is better then atlanta
THIS COMMENT WILL NEVER BE DELETE, is will strck in your head
davidlee110 2 years ago
fuck you
waatman559 1 year ago
@waatman559 LOL
loolooloo
GO USA
davidlee110 1 year ago
Meses de practica, cansancio, pero al final valio la pena, un verdadero espectaculo, Atlanta se lucio! months of practice, tireness, but all worth it at the end, an incredible show. Atlanta you rock!!!!
chicacong 2 years ago
sin duda creo q es uno de los mejores opening aunke pudo haber aprovechado mejor los elementos que tenian, ademas que muy sobrado las telas que bajan por encima del publico eso no me gusto
dskoncido 2 years ago
atlanta...u rocks
Rahmanseth85 2 years ago
you people, the olympics is meant to bring people TO GE THER! and you guys with your ridiculous comments like " omg this one was better than that one" is tearing the world apart, so just appreciate the fact that in that day, the world was together for a few hours :D
Randygetscrunk 2 years ago
why is asia always yellow and africa always black? :-(
wl03bu 2 years ago
If you look it up under the IOC website, it specifically states that the color correlation to the continents are undefined.
julius923 2 years ago 2
oh I know, but the choreographers always take liberties and they have come to have defacto representations. I was implying that these selections were based on skin colour.
wl03bu 2 years ago
Tradition.
janusshadowsong 2 years ago
@wl03bu the IOC officially appointed the colors way back before political correctness and its never been on the top of the agenda to change it.
lordofwrath88 1 year ago
@wl03bu they are the colour of the rings that represent each contient on the Olympic Flag
bootcop 1 year ago
@wl03bu They arent they Green and Red respectively, the colous are based on the 5 continents of the Olympic Rings and have been since Antwerp Olympics -
bootcop 1 year ago
Don´t say that!!
Except for the fireworks, the rest of that opening has been the most beautiful and charming ceremony I´ve seen in my life. The version of your Hymn is impressive!!
Allurette71 2 years ago
The stadium should have been enclosed or they should have waited till it gets dark. This is ridiculous. America embarrassed us all.
MrDetwaa 2 years ago
You need to do some research,It wasn't dark for Barcelona's ceremony,Seoul's ceremony,Los Angeles,Montreal,Moscow or Munich. Oh and great plan enclose the stadiums light the torch and blow the place sky high.
Kevindl1985 2 years ago 7
@MrDetwaa It was the summer time. If they waited until it got dark it would have been close to 9pm local time. Way too late to be make for a good broadcast. Not to mention disturbing nearby residents with late night fireworks. This once happened during a Braves game that went into extra innings. Fireworks went off at 3am!
Romanticalone 1 year ago
@Romanticalone wow!
rickyony 1 year ago
The commentators did too much talking. I remember seeing this in 1996. It was really surprising for something arranged by southerners; very cosmopolitan.
gemini9921 2 years ago
Maybe Microsoft will redesign the sound connection for Television. This way you could pull up an equalizer and mute the commentators if you wanted to and still hear the ceremony.
julius923 2 years ago
@julius923 that would be AWESOME!
rickyony 1 year ago
@gemini9921 not all Southern cities are Hicksville. Atlanta has always been an advanced city.
333Simpson 1 year ago
@gemini9921 What ? im a southerner and im pretty smart. :P
jvdkl 1 year ago
@gemini9921 If you venture down to Atlanta you may find out that we are very cosmopolitan and experience alot of growth or sprawl if u want. lol back then i was surprised too.
Jeremiahk2012 1 year ago
@gemini9921 too bad they couldn't clean the streets...
irish89055 6 months ago
Honestly rwmiosyn is a dumb ass. This was the best opening ceremonies. Its not so fucking stupid and crazy like the Chinese but I bet rwmisyn is Chinese or French so there you go. He probably has down syndrome. Give Atlanta another Summer Olympics!
Drewman85 2 years ago
mezzcal 2 years ago
It was the ultimate ceremony... of kitsch!
It was tacky, like a circus!
The worst opening ceremony by far...
rwmiosyn 2 years ago
I think Atlanta was one of the best aside from the super fake beijin olympiads. lol :)
jerefizzle 2 years ago
I hope Chicago get 2016 games.
JabbaYJ2 2 years ago
@JabbaYJ2 and didn't get it
julin89 1 year ago
oh hell no they couldnt hold the games here even if they tried.
cranberychips 2 years ago
the perfect citys to 2016 olympics games its Chicago, Tokyo, and Rio de Janeiro.
luckneto1999 2 years ago
As a citizen of the United States, I am biased towards Chicago, but I would love to see Rio get it simply because South America has yet to host ANY Olympics
bwguidry 2 years ago
why is it always the worst cities in america to host the games? jeez
cranberychips 2 years ago
Cran, I suppose YOUR city is any better???
bwguidry 2 years ago 3
@cranberychips Have you ever been to Atlanta? If you haven't been ALL throughout Atlanta then you should just shut up and stop pretending you know everything
333Simpson 1 year ago
Go CHICAGO 2016!
audzch 2 years ago
audzch
i think Rio will win cuz Southern Hemisphere need turn and South America havnt host olympic
kiwi539 2 years ago 2
It is just a terrible carnival, what a mess. Sydney was really better by far than atlanta, by the way the games of 1996 should be in Athens, remember.
bristoc 2 years ago
This isn't bad at all, it has it's magic and it's meaning, I think every olympic game has that...
elvisconde1982 2 years ago 2
bristoc, I was there for the Atlanta Olympics and I had the time of my life. I have to agree that the 2000 Sydney games were far better, but the Beijing games were the best.
bwguidry 2 years ago
Sydney had the best opening ceremony by far!
Reallly good coreography and music, and very entertaining.
Next was Beijing, then Athens
Rustyforexman 3 years ago
Rusty, my list for the best opening ceremonies would be:
1. Beijing
2. Sydney
3. Barcelona
Vancouver and London, respectively, have their work cut out for them
bwguidry 2 years ago
Beijing was 1/2 fake a typical chinese mentality. Atlanta may not be the best but at least everything you see were real not recorded or computer generated.
KennyNew 2 years ago
"Somebody on this planet, about 600 B.C. found some pieces of 'R6'. I don't know how they found it; either by watching madmen or something. But since that time they have used it. And it became what is known as Christianity. The man on the cross. There was no Christ!"
- Scientology Class 8 Course, Lecture 10, 3 Oct 1968 ("R6" refers to an alien psychiatric thought implant)
In his own voice:
watch?v=qrMJUDkDWqc
Why does L. Ron Hubbard disparage other religions, Rustyforexman?
OpenComments 2 years ago
¡¡Atenas 2004 y Barcelona 1992 son las mejores!!
Atlanta 1996 le que daron grandes los JJOO fueron un fiasco para ser el centenario, que lástima
mezzcal 3 years ago
Just watching this brings tears to my eyes and will always remember that these were the greatest 16 days of my life! I live in Atlanta and I miss this everyday!! And every time I go to a braves game and pass by the Olympics and the Touch always reminds me!!! Julius923...Thank you for letting me relive this!!!
ScottX6945 3 years ago
atlanta 1996 opening ceremony is the best ever opening ceremony in the history of the olympic games... i love particularly the 'call to the nations' segment, it embodies the real spirit of the olympics as well as the humanity....
audzch 3 years ago
No way!!!! Atlanta is good, indeed, but it's the "American version" of the Barcelona Opening. Look at the schedule, it's almost the same, inclusive the colors they used... Despite of that it was my first Olympic Ceremony I watched and I was attonished... I like it all the way!
Nacholympic 3 years ago
well ok my friend... the first olympic ceremony i watched is the barcelona opening, since then, im became a fan of the olympic movement... we have our personal choices of whom is the best to staged an olympic games... but for me, its atlanta... well my friend, what can you say about beijing?
audzch 3 years ago
well ok my friend... the first olympic ceremony i watched is the barcelona opening, since then, im became a fan of the olympic movement... we have our personal choices of whom is the best to staged an olympic games... but for me, its atlanta... well my friend, what can you say about beijing?
audzch 3 years ago
As for lighting the cauldron, in order:
#1. Barcelona 92 - Truly embodies what the Olympics is all about: the human spirit
#2. Athens 2004 - Technology must serve man, not the other way.
#4. Torino 2006 - Nice fireworks!
#5. Beijing 2008 - Astounding and wonderful
Unless you want to include Seoul 1988, where the birds got fried alive.
daxdigital 3 years ago
I disagree Beijing having the best for an Olympic opening ceremony. True, It was spectacular and very techy at best, however, it lacked the spirit, art and drama of the Olympics, and that was fulfilled during the ceremonies in Athens. I still find Athens' Opening as the best one.
daxdigital 3 years ago
i AGREED that beijing is NOT the best olympics ever... but i DISAGREED with you finding athens as the best one...i think its a toss-up between atlanta(the centennial games) and sydney(the games of the new millennium) as having the best olympic games ever...
audzch 3 years ago
I was referring to the OPENING CEREMONIES, NOT THE GAMES. I still find 1992 Barcelona Olympic GAMES as the most important in history.
daxdigital 3 years ago
ok... i was referring to the opening ceremonies too... it is the opportunity of the host nation to showcase their culture and traditions, and its really the pride and honor of the host nation... my personal ranking of the best opening ceremonies ever are 1. atlanta, 2. sydney 3. athens... well, what do you think of beijing opening?
audzch 3 years ago
Athens' Opening Ceremonies still tops my list. Especially the later part of the artistic cermony with the fountain and DNA and all. Atlanta? I found it very... "commercialized." Beijing? Although it was great, especially the use of performers en masse, I find it "cold" and not so inspiring. Sydney's take was very entertaining, I really liked the soundtracks used in the ceremonies.
daxdigital 3 years ago
Beijing the best
yokowich 3 years ago
agree
newmindandsoul 3 years ago
this and the temple of zeus were the only thing good about this olympics. they were terrible. cheerleaders, and stuff a big no no
newmindandsoul 3 years ago
I remember this part of the opening ceremony, seemed like we sat there forever waiting for it to start. I think we were there over 2 hours before they began, but well worth the experience.
C3H2P8 3 years ago
I loved every minute of it, mostly b/c I made so many international friends. Atlanta had its critics for some reason. It was the underdog, and I think the city did very well in hosting the events.
ugahush 3 years ago
Guys- this was 12 yrs ago... It was great for that time and an honor for those of us in the American South to host it- I was in school in GA at this time and had lots of friends in Olympic honours band and choir... They had to put in lots of work - some for yrs, so I think of their hardwork and sacrifice and still think of this as great...
Plus seeing it in person at Olympic Stadium (Turner) was cool!!!!
sportysocrchik98 3 years ago
@sportysocrchik98 I agree. No other Southern State had hosted an Olympic game of some sort, so having one be in the main city of the south was a huge honor.
333Simpson 1 year ago
I agree. China was trying to intimidate the world (especially with their countdown). Atlanta was Ideal for the Centennial because of it's Southern heritage. The South is part of what I call the "Cultural Axis" (meant possitively)with Italian, in which the Earth revolves around culturally. :)
MasterSanders 3 years ago
beijing had performers on an exponential level and was very clean/grandiose. but, altogether, i found it very dry - there's something beautiful about how human atlanta's opening ceremony was. it felt personal and real rather than clinically perfect, which beijing's was.
dav242 3 years ago 5
I agree. It was great performance in Beijing. I think it was like comparing the parades at Walt Disney World from 1975 to 2008.
julius923 3 years ago
Im so sorry but After Seing The Beijing Ceromony, Atlanta ceromony was horrible. Pure Garbage. We could ahve done better!!
IloveSEANTAYLOR 3 years ago
I agree. Beijing was AMAZING. The best yet.
Xone7 3 years ago
This Olympics ceremony is grande and colorful; but I dont think it's as coordinate as the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
7olusegun 3 years ago
this is for me by far the best opening of all olympics games i have seen.
benhamin3d 3 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Has anyone film footage of the Jon-Secada-Incident at the opening ceremony of olympics 96 Atlanta? He got stuck in a stage elevator or something like this and only his head was shown. Anyone remember? Can´t find anything on web, please help!
rababa3000 3 years ago 2
I love this part.
I never undertstood why everybody wants to make the ceremonies such a competition. I always felt that the opening ceremonies were the time where we came together as one world. To welcome the world to the particular host country. To maybe experience a bit of that host country's culture and be amazed at how different and similar we all are. Not better or worse. Just different. Still elicting a feeling of connection.
Hmm...but I guess its just me.
biglittlekid 3 years ago 3
You're a bit confused, biglittlekid. When your country or city hosts the Olympics, you should be honored and do your absolute best to entertain the world with a brilliant opening ceremony. Crap like this doesn't cut it. I wonder, how DO those ridiculous costumes represent American culture? Spending only TWO WEEKS to rehearse is inexcusable.
CyborgNinja7 3 years ago
The actual ceremony though, it's definately different. Love the music and the flowing colours of the different continents. Such interesting uniforms too.
Sikerus 3 years ago
Is there anything better than fireworks in the daytime? I almost saw some colour in those fireworks.
Sikerus 3 years ago 2
Excelente!!!! Lo recuerdo como si fuera ayer, y ya han pasado 12 años!!! Para los niños que participaron en ese espectaculo seguro fue una experiencia inolvidable! I Love this!!!
Sirenitasilvia 3 years ago
i wish i was one of those people dancing in the tribes. i really really love this part! they're so funny and wacky but in the end they form something so beautiful.
blackkittycat 3 years ago
i was one.. "Green Tribe!" Wacky and funny indeed.. thats what head to toe costumes in the peak of mid-summer Atlanta heat coupled with the fact we were coming off of several 13 hour dress rehearsals (noon to 1 am.. we ran the show twice.. TWICE! during all that time!) Anyway, we had like 2 or 3 of them during the last 5 or 6 days before the ceremony. It was exhilarating and exhausting all at once. Very special experience, for sure. Ill never forget it.. esp. with vids like this! :)
atlwareagle 3 years ago
lucky you. very very lucky. :)
blackkittycat 3 years ago
Hi there...I was in the "Black Tribe". It was one of the greatest experiences I've ever had and I treasure each moment even the 13 hour rehearsals. It was sooooo much fun.
muriel74 3 years ago 2
Yeah it was. I do admit, though, that I have selective memory about the whole experience. I remember all the good but don't think about the bad too often. Like how we volunteered countless hrs to practice & perform, but then when a lot of us cast members started asking about whether or not we'd get some sort of video of the OC itself, practices maybe, etc.. well, NOPE! And a tshrit? HA! That was asking A LOT. Remember the crappy white shirts they gave us to shut us up about it? So cheap & ugly.
atlwareagle 3 years ago
And don't even get me started on how I couldn't even look at another bottle of Aquafina or Powerade after the OC. And how about how we had to be bussed into metro parking lots when they closed down ATL streets like a wk or 2 before the show. Then we'd get bussed from those lots into the DOME. Where we'd sit for HOURS, just to get on another bus to take us to the Olympic Stadium for practice. Then reverse and repeat that process at end of practice to go home. Plus, the 2 or 3 bomb threats we had.
atlwareagle 3 years ago
But, as much as that kind of stuff wore on my last nerve back then, its the kind of stuff that I now look back on and laugh.. it was just as much a part of that crazy "adventure" as any of the good stuff. So, muriel74, do you still have your costume? I do. I've thought about selling it if I could find a collector somewhere that would want to buy it. Haven't tried yet though. Oh, and how did you get involved? Were you part of a group or team that tried out and made it? Where are you from? :)
atlwareagle 3 years ago
Yes, I still have my costume. I was in a college dance company that auditioned. Some of the people in my group exchanged their masks for the hats the Australians had on during the parade of athletes (talk about stupid). I don't think I'll ever sell mine. I love it too much. I remember the powerade (which I hate) and the water being Crystal not Aquafina...stale cold cut sandwiches and granola bars and rehearsals at Tri-Cities High School. I'm from Savannah, GA and I own a dance studio.
muriel74 3 years ago
Can't wait the Opening Ceremony Beijing OLYMPICS this Aug.8,2008
malechubby 3 years ago 2
Oh man I remember this..and waking up early to watch it..it was fantastic!!
JadeReal 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Call of nations? where?
Neocolombiano 3 years ago
what a dumbass.
canesfan471 3 years ago
YAY! Used to have this on tape as well, thanks for posting it!
kamwrites 3 years ago
damn I miss the games being here!!! Atlanta put on one hell of a show!!
Scott6945 3 years ago 7
An absolutely gorgeous opening ceremony: The concept of the nations being represented by magic spirits draped in yards of diaphanous, billowing silk is one of the most stirring and even moving images I've ever seen in a live show. The spiritual music, followed by the percussion band, followed by the youth of Atlanta all running onto the field and spelling out the 5 rings and "100" (for 100 years)- it was just lovely.
mca1218 3 years ago 6
Nice
Justdizzy 3 years ago 2
The ceremony of kitch...
rwmiosyn 4 years ago
Do you know how to spell Kitsch?
LhunGalad 3 years ago
loved the drums, loved the costumes too
igggnacio 4 years ago
Aww! thankyou soo much for this!..i recorded it on VHS but it can't be played anymore!..i rember this was absolutely awesome..so far it has been the best opening ceremony i've ever seen!!!
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itajooba 4 years ago
this brings back good memories I remember watching this for the first time I taped it and lost the tape but i loved it
rjf77pa 4 years ago
Spandex ring toss ....
AsianAgentScully 4 years ago
i wonder of any1 knos that its blue dat represents Australasia not europe
byebye006 4 years ago
The European Union Flag is Blue...I think that is why Europe was represented by Blue.
0t0ku 4 years ago
But blue is australasia or oceania when it comes to the olympics
byebye006 4 years ago
green of Oceania.
StFidjnr 3 years ago
Atlanta put on a good show
ibejake 4 years ago 2
This gives me goose bumps. No one knows how to put on an opening ceremony like the US (though Australia gave a VERY impressive preformance)
lordofwrath88 4 years ago
Athens opening ceremony was the best ever along with Barcelona's. Atlanta messed it up!
queenmusicfreak86 4 years ago
how did they mess it up exactly? can u be sepecific?
wickedfan5172 4 years ago
a super-spactacle dressed up with tones of kitch and the lack of respect towards the frugality that these games were meant to offer to the world. Atlanta was the big example of how americans always balance everything to hollywood. Yes, a nice spectacle for the eye but there is no culture to be found in this ceremony. Not like ceremonies of european olympics such as Athens, Moscow and Barcelona. Europe's got the culture, America's got Hollywood.
queenmusicfreak86 3 years ago
i'm sorry? can you please point out the hollywood references made in this opening ceremony
wickedfan5172 3 years ago
My friend, that is a matter of someone's point of view. I wasn't meant to mention any references, but i was talking about the feeling left by a superspactacle like this. It is a huge celebration and obviously millions were spent on this, but is there anything more to see or understand behind what is to be seen on this ceremony?
queenmusicfreak86 3 years ago
Would you say the Greek Theatre has more culture than Hollywood? If so, what makes a more distinctive culture? The US is only 232 years old.
julius923 3 years ago
Yes, i would say that Greek Theatre has more culture than Hollywood. But this doesn't mean that i am another Greek moron supporting its own civilisation. Sheakspeare (forgive my spelling) is also more cultural than Hollywood and generally classic theatre. But talking about ceremonies, Athens has shown how better can a spectacle by just showing what's necessary - following the rules of frugality that greek antiquity has taught.
queenmusicfreak86 3 years ago
Maybe it's because the US is a mixture of many cultures.
julius923 3 years ago
Hollywood has a lot of material that could make a brilliant and tasteful performance (not that it belongs in the Olympics). However, there was little "Hollywood" to find in this ceremony, if any. Queenmusicfreak is just equating America with Hollywood.
CyborgNinja7 3 years ago
My friend i was just using the word "hollywood" to make a symbolism. I wasnt using it in strict sense. Of course there wasntindiana jones and titanic in the ceremony. I was trying to mention that this ceremony was nothing but an empty cheerful show, a parade made up only to catch the eye and not the soul or the mind. I thin i made myself more clear now.
queenmusicfreak86 3 years ago
I think "Broadway" is better.
CyborgNinja7 3 years ago
The stadium is now Turner Field, home of the Atlanta Braves (so called because Ted Turner once owned the Braves, who are now owned by Liberty Media).
ddavenport 4 years ago
man that was pretty tight
johnly06 4 years ago
Thank you so much for posting this! i remember it as the best opening I've ever seen and my old VHS recording of it has been played so much it's gotten so grainy. It's so good to see this again!
xedra 4 years ago
I was part of the red group!!! So amazing to see it again!
LAUREN00754 4 years ago
why does they have to comment on every movement of the performence?!?
nacht98 4 years ago
I guess so people will inderstand what's going on.
Kevindl1985 4 years ago
thanks for the video..is incredible ...please do you have the opening of Sydney ...please
jemcaqp 5 years ago
This brings back great memories.
Great time to be in Atlanta.
I still remember watching this at home on July 19, 1996.
amdwalker30349 5 years ago