As the local support group of the 1996 Olympic Games, Gainesville-Hall '96 is in full gear, preparing Gainesville and Hall County, Georgia to host a worldwide audience throughout the rowing, canoe/kayak-sprint events 17 July - 2 August 1996. Comprised of 33 committees, and over 300 community volunteers, Gainesville-Hall '96 is responsible for the sale of Olympic-related merchandise associated with the rowing and canoe/kayak-sprint events, all beautification efforts, religious support services for visitors, housing accommodations for visitors and families of Olympic athletes, and the formation of the '96 Foundation, a funding program designed to establish Northeast Georgia as a world-class center for hosting future national and international rowing events. Gainesville Hall '96 also has established committees for security, transportation, education and marketing.
According to Steve Gilliam, vice chairman, Gainesville-Hall '96, the community has played a pivotal role in making Gainesville, and Hall County a true Olympic legacy. "Our dream and vision to host these events at Lake Lanier could not have become a reality without the support and teamwork of the entire community. We are truly honored to welcome visitors and athletes from around the world to Gainesville and Hall County, and to be known as a world-class site for rowing and canoeing events from this point forward."
Beautification
The beautification committee, which has already planted native wild flower seeds along roads and interstates
leading into Gainesville and Hall County, is also establishing a Heritage Trail System, for scenic bicycling and
visitor-friendly driving throughout Gainesville and Hall County. The committee has also produced "Welcome" banners,
which will be placed throughout the city to greet visitors and athletes during their stay in Gainesville.
Housing
To house visitors during the 1996 Summer Olympic Games, and for all other national and international events,
Gainesville Hall '96 has entered into a partnership with the Junior League of Gainesville and The Norton Agency to
form Lanier Housing '96. This group provides private housing for visitors to rent homes in the Gainesville, Hall
County area. For families of Olympic athletes, Gainesville Hall '96 has entered into a partnership with AT&T for
host family housing.
From Dream to Legacy
The transformation of an Olympic dream into a community legacy will be made possible in part through the '96
Foundation. The primary goals of the '96 Foundation are (1) to foster the development of rowing and canoe/kayak
programs in Northeast Georgia, (2) to provide financial resources for the operation of the Lake Lanier Rowing and
Canoe Center, without drawing on funds from local taxpayers (3) to provide grants for coaches, managers, athletes
and equipment, and (4) to provide for the continuing community and public involvement in the Olympic legacy.
"We want to perpetuate the community spirit of the '96 Olympic Games, and to establish Northeast Georgia as a world-class center for hosting national and international rowing and canoeing events in the future," said Jim Mathis, chairman, Gainesville-Hall '96. "Through the '96 Foundation, we hope to encourage development of community rowing and canoeing programs, and to provide for the continuing community and public involvement in the Olympic legacy."
Located approximately 50 miles north of Atlanta, the community of Gainesville, Hall County is the business, artistic
and cultural shopping and academic center for Northeast Georgia, and a worldwide sports and recreation hub. In addition
to the rowing, canoe/kayak-sprint events of the 1996 Olympic Games, Gainesville, Hall County is also home to the 1996
Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, Yale, Regatta, the 1996 US Rowing Olympic Team Trials, the Hemispheric Olympic Trials for
canoe/kayak, the Sarazen World Open Golf Championship and Road Atlanta.
| The Mother Nature was kind to Olympic athletes and spectators. The average high temperature during the Games was 89 degrees with an average low of 72 degrees. Highest temperature registered (20 July) - 99 degrees. Lowest high temperature registered is 79 degrees (28 July). |