The 1996 Atlanta Olympics set new records for medal-winning nations, with 79 countries earning medals and the U.S. topping both gold and overall counts.
Key Facts
- Total athletes
- 10,318
- Participating NOCs
- 197
- Events contested
- 271 events in 26 sports
- Nations winning medals
- 79
- U.S. gold medals
- 44
- U.S. total medals
- 101
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Atlanta was selected to host the centennial Summer Olympics, marking 100 years since the first modern Games, drawing a record 197 National Olympic Committees and 10,318 athletes to the United States.
The Games of the XXVI Olympiad were held in Atlanta, Georgia from July 19 to August 4, 1996, featuring 271 events across 26 sports, including Olympic debuts for beach volleyball, mountain biking, and softball, with the host nation United States leading all countries in both gold medals (44) and total medals (101).
The Atlanta Games set new records for participation, with 79 nations earning medals and 53 winning gold; numerous countries including Armenia, Belarus, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan claimed their first-ever Olympic gold medals, while American swimmer Amy Van Dyken and Russian gymnast Alexei Nemov stood out as the Games' top individual medal winners.