The 1996 Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXVI Olympiad, were held in Atlanta, Georgia, USA from July 19 to August 4, 1996. The event featured over 10,000 athletes from 197 countries competing in 271 events across 26 sports. The opening ceremony was marred by a bombing that killed two people and injured many others. Despite this tragedy, the games continued and were marked by memorable performances, including Michael Johnson winning gold in both the 200m and 400m races, and Kerri Strug's iconic vault to clinch gold for the US women's gymnastics team. The US topped the medal table with a total of 101 medals, followed by Russia and Germany. Overall, the 1996 Olympics were successful in showcasing the spirit of sportsmanship and competition on a global stage.
