As the Olympics are being held in Tokyo, many people in Georgia are reminiscing on memories from the Centennial Olympics in Atlanta that were held 25 years ago.
There were memorable moments from Muhammad Ali lighting the Olympic torch to sprinter Michael Johnson winning multiple gold medals and gymnast Kerri Strug winning gold despite a foot injury, but there was also one moment that many won’t forget: The moment a bomb ripped through Centennial Olympic Park.
Revelers were enjoying the festive atmosphere when, around 1:20 a.m. on July 27, an explosion rocked the park. Two people died and another 110 were injured.
The convicted bomber, Eric Robert Rudolph, targeted the park using a bomb hidden in a backpack.
Security guard Richard Jewell, who was having trouble with rowdy college kids, went for backup and found Georgia Bureau of Investigation agent Tom Davis. When they returned to the area where the kids had been, Jewell spotted an abandoned backpack.