Every summer since 1996, those who have lived in Atlanta for a long time often say, "The whole city was a festival back then."

For the people of Atlanta, the 1996 Olympics seem to be remembered not just as a sports event, but as a turning point in the city's destiny.

In 1996, Atlanta hosted the 26th Summer Olympics. It was also the year marking the 220th anniversary of American independence, and it was a massive event with over 10,000 athletes from 197 countries participating. At that time, many expected that the 100th anniversary of the Olympics would naturally be held in Athens, Greece.

However, after fierce competition, the southern city of Atlanta surprised the world by winning the hosting rights.

During the Olympics, there was an abundance of spectacles. Track star Michael Johnson made history by winning both the 200m and 400m races while wearing golden spikes. The scenes we watched on TV are still truly overwhelming today.

The U.S. women's gymnastics team also won their first-ever gold medal in the team event, becoming national heroes, and above all, the moment when boxing legend Muhammad Ali, battling Parkinson's disease, lit the Olympic flame with trembling hands is still considered one of the greatest moments in Olympic history.

However, it wasn't all joy. During the Olympics, a bombing occurred at Centennial Olympic Park, resulting in two deaths and over 100 injuries. It was a tragedy that citizens and tourists enjoying the festival would find hard to forget for a lifetime. This incident led to significant enhancements in security at major sporting events, airports, and stadiums across the U.S.

Still, the Olympics left much more for Atlanta. Today, Centennial Olympic Park, located in the heart of downtown, is cherished as a resting place for citizens and a tourist attraction. In the summer, music performances and fountain shows take place, attracting many family visitors. Georgia Tech, which was used as the athletes' village, still utilizes the Olympic swimming pool as a facility for students. Airport expansions, road improvements, and hotel constructions were also significantly carried out during this time, laying the foundation for Atlanta as an international city today.

Our country also achieved great results. We won 7 gold medals, 15 silver medals, and 5 bronze medals, finishing in 10th place overall. In particular, women's archery once again proved the prowess of South Korea, and we also excelled in judo and wrestling. Many of you may have cheered in front of the TV early in the morning back then.

For Koreans living in Atlanta, 1996 holds even more special significance. The Olympics marked the beginning of the city's growth as a global business hub, and the Korean community also grew alongside it. The growth of the Korean town centered around Duluth and Suwanee is closely related to the city's development during that period.

Even 30 years later, walking through Atlanta, you can find traces of the Olympics everywhere. It was not just a fleeting event but one that transformed the very face of the city. That's why when Atlantans talk about 1996, they proudly say, "Our city was at the center of the world back then."