The Atlanta games in 1996 may have survived political turmoil, but a far worse legacy came in the shape of a bomb.

It ripped through a rock concert to create a shocking death and injury toll.

Atlanta had hoped these games would prove once and for all that the one-time railhead had grown up into a world-class city.

But the buses ran late, the computers didn't work and sometimes it seemed that every square inch of the town was for sale.

Then came the tragedy of the bomb, to overshadow all the positive aspects of the sporting competition.

The resilient Americans bounced back and had their moment at an exuberant closing ceremony.

When the torch went out at ten minutes to 11, Atlanta put on a show that healed every wound and capped every dream with the pure, foot-stomping joy of a world-class hoe-down.

Even Al and Tipper Gore were dancing as B.B. King, Wynton Marsalis, Tito Puente, Stevie Wonder and Gloria Estefan whipped up an ever-growing conga line that threatened to spill into the streets.

What made the Atlanta games a sporting success in the end weren't the overhyped technology or the oversold sponsorships, but Atlanta itself, with its devil-may-care charm, southern grace and high spirits.