Resumen de Host Population Perceptions of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics: Support, Benefits, and Liabilities
This article reports on select aspects of the Georgia Olympic Poll trend study that examined Georgia (US) resident perceptions towards the impacts of hosting the 1996 Summer Olympic Games. The Georgia Olympic Poll began in the summer of 1992 and ended in the Post-Olympic Poll in August 1996. All 12 telephone surveys represented a combined total of 9342 Georgia resident responses. Resident support for hosting the 1996 Summer Atlanta Olympics remained strong over the years, although it decreased to a low point (79.5%) in the Pre-Olympic Poll before reaching a high of 94.7% in the Post-Olympic Poll. With regard to perceived benefits, Georgia residents rated the international recognition benefit the highest benefit in all Olympic Polls. With regard to perceived liabilities, Georgia residents rated the traffic congestion liability the highest perceived liability in all polls with the exception of the Post-Olympic Poll conducted in August of 1996. After the 1996 Summer Olympic Games, residents clearly indicated that perceived traffic congestion was not a major problem as originally forecasted. The issues of price gouging from street merchants and the Atlanta Olympic Committee moved to the top of the perceived liability list.
