the XXVIth Olympiad What? The Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games (ACOG) will host the Games of the XXVIth Olympiad, marking the centennial of the Modern Olympic Games. The 1996 Games begin with the Opening Ceremony on July 19, 1996, and conclude following 16 days of competition on August 4, 1996. Where? Most events will be held in the metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia, area but other cities in the state-Athens, Columbus and Savannah-as well as the Ocoee River in nearby Tennessee will also serve as venue sites. In addition, Birmingham, Alabama; Miami and Orlando, Florida; and Washington, D.C., will be the venue cities for preliminary rounds of football (soccer). Who? More than 10,000 athletes-representing nearly 200 nations-will take part in the Centennial Olympic Games. Most athletes will be housed in the Atlanta Olympic Village-in downtown Atlanta on the campus of the Georgia Institute of Technology. Seven satellite Olympic Villages also will be available in venues outside of Atlanta. Women? Some 3,700 women-the largest number ever and an increase of 32 percent from the number of women athletes in Barcelona in 1992 -- will compete. And with the addition of women's soccer and softball to the 1996 Olympic Programme, women will participate in more sports than ever before in the Olympic Games. When? Be sure to get a copy of the April/May version of Easy Info for an entire Olympic Schedule of times, dates and venues for each event.