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Memories of 1996: Celebration marks 20th anniversary of Atlanta Games, Rio Olympics opening
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Andrea Moreira, director of Dance Brasil Entertainment, takes a photo of others in Dance Brasil Entertainment and Bataque Brasil as Michael Phelps is interviewed by NBC in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, during the Rio on the Water celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the 1996 Olympic Games Friday at Lake Lanier Olympic Park. The Opening Ceremonies of the 2016 Olympic Games was streamed live during the event. - photo by Erin O. Smith
Some 20 years ago, International Olympic Committee President Juan Antonio Samaranch put his arm around then Gainesville Mayor George Wangemann at the Lake Lanier Olympic Venue. As Wangemann remembers it, the IOC president said it was the most “naturally beautiful Olympic site (he had) ever seen.” “Every time I come here, I just beam with pride,” Wangemann said, who still serves on the Gainesville City Council.