By Jody Thompson

Thirty years ago, Atlanta welcomed the world for the Centennial Olympic and Paralympic Games. It was a defining moment that transformed both the city and Georgia Tech’s campus. The Games sparked unprecedented urban renewal and infrastructure development, placing Atlanta on the global stage.

At the center of this transformation was Georgia Tech. As the site of the Olympic Village and host to several sporting venues, Georgia Tech undertook major campus improvements, including the renovation of Alexander Memorial Coliseum and the construction of seven residence halls, the North Avenue Apartments, the Campanile, and the Olympic aquatic facility that later became the Campus Recreation Center. These investments reshaped campus life and continue to influence the student experience today.

The Centennial Summer: Georgia Tech’s Olympic Legacy exhibit was developed as part of the Georgia Tech Library’s effort to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the 1996 Olympic Games and highlight the collections housed within the Archives. Planning, design, and installation took nine months and involved faculty and staff from the Library’s Archives, Public Programming, and Communications departments. The team researched and selected materials from the Archives’ collections, which included artifacts, documents, and photographs as well as items generously loaned by Georgia Tech and Atlanta community members.

We invite the community to revisit these historic moments and explore the lasting impact through Centennial Summer: Georgia Tech’s Olympic Legacy. Featuring photographs, artifacts, and personal stories, the exhibit examines how the 1996 Olympic and Paralympic Games transformed Georgia Tech and left an enduring legacy on Atlanta and beyond.

The exhibit is open through mid-November from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day in the Library's Exhibit Gallery, located on the first floor of Price Gilbert Memorial Library.

For more information about the exhibit or to learn more, visit Georgia Tech Library.