a little Olympic history- Barcelona style.

In celebration of the '08 games coupled with the fact that I find myself missing Spain as I pack for school, here's a little Olympic history- Barcelona style. Held in the wake of German reunification, the end of the South African apartheid, the break ups of Yugoslavia and the USSR, the 1992 Games proved to be one of the most historic. When I visited Barcelona last October, I had the opportunity visit Olympic Stadium (para gratis!), the site of several of the following events.

Highlights from the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain
- The International Olympic Committee allowed South Africa to compete after a 28 year suspension for the country's apartheid policy.
- Germany competed as one team for the first time in 32 years.
- Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina had their own teams for the first time ever.
- Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania had their own teams for the first time 56 years.
- Other Soviet republics competed together as the Unified Team.
- Yael Arad became the first Israeli to medal in the Olympics taking silver in judo, 20 years after the massacre in Munich.
- Baseball, badminton, and women's judo became Olympic sports for the first time.
- After a 20 year hiatus, slalom canoeing rejoined the Olympic circuit.
- Professional basketball players were allowed to compete for the first time, and thus, allowing for the creation the United States' Dream Team starring Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson, among others.
- British track star Derek Redmond tore his hamstring during the semi-finals of the 400m, receiving a standing ovation as he finished the race with the help of his father.
The sights and sounds of Olympic Stadium in Barcelona- including the Passeig de la Fama (Walk of Fame). There was some sort of Disney-esque festival going on which was only mildly entertaining (as we were all over the age of 20) but it did mean that we got in for free.

olympic stadium