​Almost exactly 30 years after Atlanta first welcomed the world during the 1996 Olympic Games, the city is again in the international spotlight as a host, this time for the FIFA World Cup. Channel 2’s Karyn Greer spoke with Billy Payne, a key architect of the Olympics bid, about how his efforts helped shape Atlanta’s current status on the global stage. Payne notes that while people recognized Atlanta from the Civil Rights Movement, they didn’t fully appreciate the city’s Southern charm or its capacity to host major events.
He recalls that the odds of winning the Centennial Olympic Games were essentially nil from the outset, and that it would have been improbable for an American city to emerge as the winner “out of the blue.” Yet the Olympics did more than transform downtown Atlanta; they established the city as a credible international host. Payne argues that Atlanta demonstrated a sophisticated side of the United States that many people hadn’t seen before, due in part to its world-class infrastructure—from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to Mercedes-Benz Stadium—and its proven track record with the Olympics.
“Our introduction to the world revealed a segment of the United States that had previously gone unseen,” Payne says, noting that the city’s presentation to a sophisticated group of 90 observers from 80 countries helped showcase a part of America that was unfamiliar to most international audiences.
Today, as international visitors return to Atlanta for the FIFA World Cup, Payne says the event has taught him a great deal about soccer, a sport he’s only recently begun to learn. He admits to being surprised by how much he’s enjoyed watching the games, with his grandchildren now immersed in soccer and him often glued to the TV during the matches.
July 19 marks the anniversary of the Centennial Olympic Games opening in Atlanta, and the city will mark the milestone with celebrations and exhibitions that honor the Olympics’ enduring legacy. Sign up for the WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter to stay informed about related events and updates.