ACOG - News - IBM

(19 July, 1996)

Russian Federation, Korea Looking for Three-peat

Competition opens on Wednesday for 1996 Olympic Games handball, with the Russian Federation facing Kuwait in men's action beginning at 10:00 at the Georgia World Congress Center. The Russians will be looking to become the first nation to capture their third consecutive gold medal after winning in 1988 as the Soviet Union and in 1992 as the Unified Team. Previous men's Olympic Games champions include: Germany in 1936, Yugoslavia in 1972 and 1984, and East Germany in 1980.

Korea looks for an unprecedented third straight gold medal when the women's competition opens on Friday 26 July. Hungary and the People's Republic of China tip off the action when they meet at 10:00. The Koreans look to surpass the former Soviet Union for most gold medals in the women's ranks when they meet up with Germany on Friday at 14:30. The Soviet Union captured back-to-back titles in the sport's first two competitions in 1976 and 1980. Yugoslavia was the only other nation to win a gold medal in the 20-year history of the women's event, defeating West Germany in 1984.

Both of the American contingents look to earn their first medal in Olympic Games handball competition. The United States women factor as a medal contender as the host nation, but the men are a darkhorse for medal possibilities lacking the experience of the more powerful European squads. The men open against Sweden on Wednesday at 19:00, while the women face Denmark two days later at 14:30.

The 12-team men's competition and the eight-team women's competition will be contested over 12 days with the winners being crowned on Saturday, 3 August, for the women and Sunday, 4 August, for the men. All action except the men's finals takes place at the Georgia World Congress Center. The Georgia Dome will play host to the men's gold medal game.

Other nations competing in Atlanta include Algeria, Croatia, Brazil, Egypt, France, Germany, Spain and Switzerland in the men's division, and Angola and Norway in women's competition.

This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department. Written by Brad Laux.



Olympic Factoid
Pin trading was one of the most popular Olympic sports, with more than 1.2 million pins changing hands during the Games in the Coca Cola Pin Trading Center at Centennial Olympic Park.