1996 Atlanta Olympics vs. 2012 London Olympics: A Cross-Cultural Comparative Analysis
Sean Leonard
Dr. Bonnie Tiell
MGT 390: Theory and Organization of the Olympic Games
7/21/12
The Olympic games is widely regarded as one of the largest, most extravagant events on the entire planet. The original Olympic games originated in ancient Greece (around 776 BC) and featured competitors from different Greek cities such as Athens, Sparta and Croton (Olympic Games, 2012). The games were created with the intention to bring honor to the Greek god of the sky, Zeus, who hails from Mount Olympus (Olympic Games, 2012). The games lasted for almost four centuries until either the Roman emperor Theodosius I or his son Theodosius II abolished the event due to its non-Christian nature (Olympic Games, 2012). French educator Baron Pierre de Coubertin officially revived the Olympic games in 1896, but this time, the games allowed for athletes from around the world to compete. The first modern Olympic festival was held in Athens, Greece, but since then, the games have been held all over the world, including Sydney, Australia; Barcelona, Spain; Munich, Germany; Los Angeles, California, United States; and many other locations. Hosting the Olympics has become an incredible opportunity for countries to promote their culture, economy and environment to the rest of the world. It also makes each version of the Olympic games much different from all others, in terms of geography, politics, people, traditions, and other things. Two countries that have hosted the Olympics multiple times are the United States of America and the United Kingdom. In this paper, the two most recent summer games from each country will be compared to display significant differences between both countries: the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, and the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, England, United Kingdom.
In the summer of 1996, the centennial anniversary of the modern Olympic games, the city of Atlanta, Georgia, had the distinction of hosting the Olympics. Atlanta is the most populous city in Georgia, a state located in the southeastern US, and it is an important transportation, commercial, and financial center in the Southeast (Ambrose, 2012). Atlanta was founded in 1837, about twenty years prior to the beginning of the Civil War (Ambrose, 2012). Atlanta sits in the northwestern part of Georgia, just south of the Blue Ridge Mountains and southeast of the Chattahoochee River. The city is geographically unique to other cities in the South because it has a high mean elevation of about 1,050 feet, or 320 meters, above sea level (Ambrose, 2012). This means that Atlanta’s climate is far more temperate than other cities in Georgia (Ambrose, 2012). Both the city of Atlanta and the state of Georgia share the same democratic political structure as the rest of the United States. The United States is governed by three political branches: a legislative branch consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives, an executive branch led by the President of the United States, and a judicial branch controlled by the US Supreme Court. The legislative branch features both the Senate (two Senators per state) and the House (representation based on state population proportions) working together to propose or approve new US laws. The executive branch revolves around the President and his extensive powers, such as his right to veto legislation and his power to appoint court judges. The judicial branch deals with the United States court system and its role in mediating conflicts and upholding justice within the country. These three branches all contribute equally through a system of checks and balances that prevents one branch from becoming too powerful. The United States also features a two-party political system, in which the Republican Party and the Democratic Party compete against each other in elections and other political endeavors to promote the country’s best interests. There are also a number of third parties and independents that exist in American politics, but they lack the power and structure of the Republicans and Democrats.
London, England is the site of this summer’s Olympic games. London is the UK’s biggest metropolis, the capital of the UK, the main cultural, economic, and transportation center of the UK, and one of the world’s oldest and most famous cities (London, 2012). The city is located in the southeastern portion of England, close to the River Thames. The east-flowing Thames provides transportation and trade routes for citizens all around the London area, and it divides the northern and southern portions of London (London, 2012). London is located further away from the equator than Atlanta, which means that it boasts a cooler mean temperature and receives more precipitation throughout the year. London was founded back when the Romans ruled over much of Europe, a time when the city was called “Londinium” (London, 2012). The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy. The Queen of England serves as the Head of State, but the British Parliament has the power to make and pass legislation within the United Kingdom (“The official website: monarchy,” 2008/09). The Queen is politically neutral, but she is required to commence each new Parliament discussion and to maintain a strong relationship with the Prime Minister, regardless of his or her political ties (“The official website: Queen,” 2008/09). The Queen and the Royal Family make up the Sovereign division of the UK’s governing structure. These people serve as both the Head of State (filled with constitutional and representational tasks) and the Head of the Nation (including less formal rules such as recognition for others’ successes) (“The official website: Sovereign”). The other part of the structure is controlled by the UK’s Parliament, which consists of the House of Lords (mostly appointed) and the House of Commons (publicly elected) (“The two-house system”). The United Kingdom has a political system dominated by three parties: the Labour Party, the Conservative Party, and the Liberal Democrat Party (“Political parties in Parliament”). Similar to the United States, there are a number of smaller parties that exist to focus on more specific government interests, but they are not as powerful or as structured as the three main ones.
As of the 2010 census, there are 420,003 people living in Atlanta, which is about 4.33% of Georgia’s total population (U.S. Census Bureau, 2012). 19.4% of Atlanta’s population is under 18 years of age, and 9.8% is 65 years of age and over (U.S. Census Bureau, 2012). The city is about half male and half female, and the population is 59.7% Caucasian (U.S. Census Bureau, 2012). African Americans make up 30.5% of the city’s population, which comprises the largest minority population in Atlanta by far (U.S. Census Bureau, 2012). This can be attributed mainly to Georgia’s history as a slave state. In the late 1700s and early 1800s, African slaves were auctioned off to wealthy plantation owners in the southern states to make plantation labor easier for them. Many slaves tried to escape to the northern states, which had far fewer slaves and slave owners, but most failed. However, during the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln signed the emancipation proclamation, which outlawed slavery in the United States and turned African Americans into free men and women. Unfortunately, this did not stop Atlanta and the state of Georgia from promoting racial segregation and inhibiting the rights of African Americans in any way possible. This all changed in the 1960s, when Martin Luther King Jr., an Atlanta native, became the figurehead for the Civil Rights Movement in the southeastern United States. Dr. King’s efforts helped improve the lives of thousands of African Americans living in the South. Throughout the 1990s, Atlanta trailed only Phoenix, Arizona, in its rate of population growth, a fact that is likely linked to the improved tourism industry and community infrastructure from the 1996 Olympics (Ambrose, 2012). Today, Atlanta houses a vibrant art scene. It contains several high-profile art museums, such as the High Museum of Art, as well as a puppetry arts center, America’s oldest professional ballet company, and many other performance spaces for theatre and music (Ambrose, 2012). Atlanta is also known for being one of America’s greatest sports cities. It holds a professional basketball team (the Hawks), a professional football team (the Falcons), a professional baseball team (the Braves), and more.
As of 2007, London is home to 7,556,900 people, which is almost eighteen times the population of Atlanta (London, 2012). London’s population hit its peak at about 8.6 million people right before the beginnings of World War II (London, 2012). London is a highly cosmopolitan city filled with people of different ethnicities and backgrounds (London, 2012). In the late nineteenth century, immigrants from China, Italy, France, Germany, Scandinavia, and other places began to flood into England and occupy London (London, 2012). Today, nearly a third of London’s resident population originates from an overseas country (London, 2012). Tourism is one of London’s largest industries, partially because this city contains some of the most famous man-made structures on Earth, including London Bridge and the clock tower known as “Big Ben.” London also has an impressive art culture, brimming with museums, art galleries, performing arts theatres, and opera houses to fulfill the refined artistic tastes of London’s residents (London, 2012). Furthermore, London has a rich history in sports and competition. In London, soccer (or what they call football) is king. The city is home to several different clubs, such as Chelsea, West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur, and Arsenal (London, 2012). Many citizens enjoy watching these and other club teams play in the English Premiere League and the Union of European Football Associations Champions League. In addition, sports such as cricket, tennis, golf, and horse racing are also very popular throughout London (London, 2012).
The 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta was a very special event because it marked the 100-year anniversary of the first modern Olympic ceremonies. To commemorate this anniversary, Atlanta preserved its main tourist area for the 1996 Olympics, known as Centennial Olympic Park, as a monument to these games (Poynter & MacRury, 2009: pg. 125). The city set aside about twenty-one acres of unoccupied land to create the park (Poynter & MacRury, 2009: pg. 125). Atlanta was surprisingly awarded the right to host the Centennial Olympics after edging out strong bids by Toronto, Canada; Melbourne, Australia; and Athens, Greece (Weisman, 1990). Six years later, the games began on July 19, 1996, with retired American boxing legend Muhammad Ali lighting the Olympic cauldron during the opening ceremonies (“Atlanta 1996,” 2012). The Games lasted until August 4, 1996, and featured thirty-seven different Olympic sport competitions (“Atlanta 1996,” 2012). All 197 National Olympic Committees were represented at these Games, a first in Olympic history at that point (“Atlanta 1996,” 2012). There were a total of 10,318 athletes competing at these Games, with 3,512 being women and 6,806 being men (“Atlanta 1996,” 2012). Many new sports such as beach volleyball, mountain biking, lightweight rowing, women’s football, and softball all made their first appearances in the Olympics (“Atlanta 1996,” 2012). Seventy-nine different countries were awarded medals for their athletes’ performances, which was a record at that time (“Atlanta 1996,” 2012). A sailor named Hubert Raudaschi from Austria set a significant attendance record record, becoming the first athlete to participate in nine different Summer Olympics (“Atlanta 1996,” 2012). On the track, Marie-José Pérec from France and Michael Johnson from the United States grabbed headlines with a couple of unforgettable performances. Pérec became one of the greatest French athletes in history by winning the 200-meter dash and becoming the first athlete to win two gold medals in a row in the 400-meter dash (“Atlanta 1996,” 2012). Johnson became the first man in Olympic history to run both the 200 and 400, and he set a world record in the 200 that stood until Usain Bolt bested it in 2008 (“Atlanta 1996,” 2012). These Olympics were remembered for many reasons, some glorious and, as you will see, some tragic.
In hosting the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, London became the first city to host the modern Olympic games three different times, the first two being in 1908 and 1948 (Weed, 2008: pg. 187). However, this is the first time that London was given a full four-year period to prepare for the Olympics (Weed, 2008: pg. 188). In 1908, the bid was originally rewarded to Rome, Italy, but the eruption of Mount Vesuvius caused a lot of damage, which messed with the city’s Olympic budget (Weed, 2008: pp. 187-88). Eventually, Italy told the International Olympic Committee, the main organization that oversees all Olympic activity, to give the responsibility of hosting the Games to another city, and London was the lone volunteer (Weed, 2008: pg. 188). London was originally supposed to host the Games in 1944, but the outbreak of World War II caused the Games to be cancelled (Weed, 2008: pg. 188). The war ended in 1945, and London was again tabbed by the IOC to host the 1948 Games, but with only three years to prepare and limited resources and finances (Weed, 2008: pg. 188). In 2005, London outbid the cities of Paris, France, and Madrid, Spain, at an IOC meeting in Singapore to be awarded its third Summer Olympics (Poynter & MacRury, 2009: pg. 185). The Games are set to begin on July 27, 2012, and are set to end on August 12, 2012. Many of the individual stars from the 2008 Beijing Olympics, including Nastia Liuken from the United States, Michael Phelps from the United States, and Usain Bolt from Jamaica, are set to return to this year’s competition. Standout gymnast Shawn Johnson from the United States retired earlier this year after continuing struggles with her knees. In swimming, Ryan Lochte from the United States has been grabbing headlines by beating Michael Phelps in some Olympic preliminary events, perhaps becoming a favorite in this year’s competition. In basketball, the United States Olympic team has been decimated by injuries due in large part to a strike-shortened regular season in the National Basketball Association. In tennis, 2008 singles gold medalist Rafael Nadal from Spain will not compete in this year’s games because of some issues with his knees. These are just a few storylines heading into the 2012 Summer Olympics.
The Centennial Olympic games have received mixed reviews from city officials, media outlets, IOC members, and others following the Olympics. In general, the media has criticized these Games as “over commercialized and poorly organized” (Poynter & MacRury, 2009: pg. 122). Some have linked this “poor organization” to the fact that these Olympics were almost entirely run by a private entity: the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games (ACOG) (Gold & Gold, 2007: pg. 44). Many people were convinced that the 1996 Atlanta Olympics would end up being like the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, which was marred by billions of dollars of debt (Yarbrough, 2000: pg. 48). Some were concerned that the Olympics were going to raise taxes to the point where living Atlanta would become nigh impossible (Yarbrough, 2000: pg. 49). The cost of putting on the 1996 Games was estimated to be around $1.7 billion (Yarbrough, 2000: pg. 50). The ACOG tried to divide the how the revenue would be earned as fairly as possible: 41% would come from marketing efforts, 35% from selling broadcast rights fees to different parts of the world, 14% from ticket revenue, 2% from merchandise, and 8% from miscellaneous sources such as donations and concessions (Yarbrough, 2000: pg. 50). The ACOG joined forces with the United States Olympic Committee to form the Atlanta Centennial Olympic Properties (ACOP), which made selling sponsorships easier because it avoided conflict (Yarbrough, 2000: pg. 50). The ACOG also worked together in marketing international sponsorships with the IOC, forming a program known as The Olympic Programme III (TOP) (Yarbrough, 2000: pg. 51). In the end, the TOP, ACOP, and a myriad of smaller organizations managed to attract well over forty different sponsors and suppliers (Yarbrough, 2000: pg. 51). These included NationsBank (now Bank of America), McDonalds, Coca-Cola, Nike, AT&T, and many more. The federal government also contributed to the spending effort by using millions of dollars on infrastructure and housing developments in Atlanta (Poynter & MacRury, 2009: pg. 124). These changes, plus a clean balance sheet and an upsurge of tourism, greatly increased the quality of life for Atlanta residents and visitors alike for years to come (Poynter & MacRury, 2009: pg. 122).
The massive upgrade to Atlanta’s infrastructure seemed like an ambitious goal at the time, but with assistance from the federal government, the ACOG and the IOC were able to make the city fit for the Olympics. A similar overhaul in infrastructure and city development was regarded as an important goal from the very beginning for British parliament. A day after London won the bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics, Jack Straw, then Secretary of State, issued this statement:
“London’s bid was built on a special Olympic vision. That vision of an Olympic games that would not only be a celebration of sport but a force for regeneration. The games will transform one of the poorest and most deprived areas of London. They will create thousands of jobs and homes. They will offer new opportunities for business in the immediate area and throughout London…” (Poynter & MacRury, 2009: pg. 185)
The politicians, media personalities, and members of the London Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG) all share the hope that these games will improve the quality of life throughout London, influence younger generations through the Olympic Movement, and make the city more sustainable and less harmful to the environment. The cost of hosting the 2012 Olympics was estimated to be around 9.3 billion British pounds (one British pound equals about one and a half US dollars), but a Mail Online article published in March revealed that the LOCOG erred in its calculations (King, 2012). The games will actually be closer to 11 billion British pounds, due in large part to a greater demand for security officials (King, 2012). This miscalculation now leaves the city in danger of overspending and falling into debt. The TOP Programme is once again responsible for attracting some of the games’ most powerful sponsors (“The Olympic Partner (TOP) Programme,” 2012). Worldwide, these include Coca-Cola, Acer, Atos, Dow, General Electric, McDonald’s, Omega, Panasonic, Proctor & Gamble, Samsung, and Visa (“The Olympic Partner (TOP) Programme,” 2012). The games’ other sponsors act more local; they help supply products for officials and athletes, create ticketing and licensing programmes, and do not compete with the TOP sponsors (“Local Sponsorship Programmes,” 2012). These programs are run by the LOCOG. London’s biggest concern since winning the bid deals with the rising cost of hosting the Olympic games. More advanced technology, the growing threat of terrorism, and the need to make the city fit for hosting the Olympics have all contributed to drastic rises in the overall cost of hosting the games.
The Summer Olympics in Atlanta were held in the mid-1990s, a time where the Internet was relatively new, personal home computers were starting to become common, and when mobile phones were starting to shrink in size. One could say that the 1996 Olympics were the most advanced to date, but that would be redundant because there are four years that separate each ceremony, leaving plenty of time for new and improved technology to be released. Dial-up Internet and limited cell phone features made for a communication system that would likely be described as archaic in today’s world. While the Atlanta games were groundbreaking by the technology standards of 1996, there were many flaws that surfaced throughout the Olympics. On the first day of the events, the transportation system was a problem for both spectators and press because of heavy traffic congestion and malfunctioning public buses (Poynter & MacRury, 2009: pg. 124). The computer system was also flawed, failing to send Olympic results data and causing many journalists to miss their deadlines (Poynter & MacRury, 2009: pg. 124). Furthermore, the security technique was not powerful enough to detect a deadly nail bomb that caused a great deal of tragedy and commotion during the games (Poynter & MacRury, 2009: pg. 125). These errors in communication, transportation, and security at the 1996 games showed the world that technology still needed to take another step in order to become dependable enough to make the Olympics easier to host.
The 2012 Olympics may not have been held yet, but they share the same unspoken promise as all others before it: namely, to be the most advanced, in terms of technology and communication. The primary reason behind this deals with the multiple breakthroughs in the technological universe since 1996. Mobile phones come in all shapes and sizes in 2012, and their features are essentially limitless, with text messaging, Internet access, touch screen capabilities, downloadable games and music, and much, much more. Laptop computers, iPad tablets, and Macintosh computers have taken the world of technology to a whole new level and have made computers more portable than ever. Sports fans are also reaping the benefits. They are no longer limited to radio and television for coverage of their favorite sports because the Internet has become so fast and accessible. The televisions of today are also evolving rapidly. Cable and satellite packages such as NFL Sunday Ticket in the United States are able to help sports fans see any team, league, or sport, regardless of where they are in the world. Furthermore, increasing terrorist activity over the past decade has contributed to a more alert security system across the globe. Considering all of these advances in a sixteen-year period, the 2012 London Olympics appear to be on its way to setting the gold standard for technology and communication capabilities.
In 1996, the IOC required that all female athletes undergo a gender verification test to prove that they were actually female. This test was first introduced in the 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble, and it was used to make absolutely sure that men were not posing as females in order to gain a competitive advantage (Topend Sports Network, 1997-2012). Many women considered this practice demeaning and sexist, but it was not until 1999 that the IOC officially canned the test. In 1996, eight female athletes did not pass the test, but they were later cleared to compete after receiving physical examinations (Topend Sports Network, 1997-2012). Also in 1996, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) was still three years away form being established, which implies that some athletes were still getting away with using performance-enhancing drugs (“Wada,” 2010). The biggest scandal of the 1996 games occurred around 1:30 a.m. on the morning of July 27 (HistoryoftheOlympics.com, 2009). Someone had snuck a trio of pipe bombs into a black duffle bag that exploded in the center of the Centennial Olympic Park (HistoryoftheOlympics.com, 2009). One person died because of a nail that drilled into her head following the explosion, and another, a Turkish cameraman, had a heart attack and died while rushing to the scene (Yarbrough, 2000: pg. 8). About 110 others were injured in the blast (Yarbrough, 2000: pg. 9). Despite this tragic accident and the fear that it delivered to spectators and volunteers, the ACOG made the decision to continue with the games as scheduled (Yarbrough, 2000: pg. 8). Surprisingly, the stadiums were at 95% capacity and the volunteer corps at about 85% capacity all throughout that next day (Yarbrough, 2000: pg. 11). A security guard named Richard Jewell found and reported the bag, but he was considered a top suspect for the bombing (HistoryoftheOlympics.com, 2009). He had to endure harsh interrogations by the Federal Bureau of Investigators, but eventually, they found the true criminal: Eric Robert Rudolph (HistoryoftheOlympics.com, 2009). Rudolph was a right-wing extremist who had also bombed an abortion clinic and a lesbian bar in his lifetime (HistoryoftehOlympics.com, 2009). He is currently serving life in prison (HistoryoftheOlympics.com, 2009).
There is not much to say about scandal thus far in the 2012 Summer Olympics because they games have not happened yet. However, the day after London won the bid for the 2012 games is a day that English citizens will not soon forget. On July 7, 2005, there were four suicide bombers that wreaked havoc both on London’s subway network and on a London bus (National September 11 Memorial & Museum, 2012). 52 people were killed and more than 770 were injured as a result of the explosions (National September 11 Memorial & Museum, 2012). The attacks commenced around 8:50 a.m. British Standard Time following a busy rush hour, with the bus explosion occurring about an hour later (National September 11 Memorial & Museum, 2012). The four bombers were all Islamic extremists born in the United Kingdom, and their attack on the city was London’s deadliest since World War II (National September 11 Memorial & Museum, 2012). However, according to then London Mayor Ken Livingstone, London’s Olympic bid did not seem to play a big role in the attacks happening in the first place.
“This was not a terrorist attack against the mighty and the powerful. It was not aimed at Presidents or Prime Ministers. It was aimed at ordinary, working-class Londoners, black and white, Muslim and Christian, Hindu and Jew, young and old. It was an indiscriminate attempt to slaughter, irrespective of any considerations for age, for class, for religion, or whatever” (National September 11 Memorial & Museum, 2012).
There were also recent reports claiming that 27 representatives from 54 countries participating in the Olympics were planning on violating the IOC and selling Olympic tickets on the black market (Gibson, 2012). The reality is that even more scandals such as these are likely to emerge as the games begin very soon.
The Olympic games is a continuously changing entity. The games will always adapt to something new and exciting not only because of the length of time between each ceremony, but also because of the number of different countries that have had the chance to host the games. Each country has left a lasting imprint on the Olympics because hosting the games gives a nation a chance to promote its culture to both the IOC and the hundreds of different nations participating in the games. The 2012 Summer Olympics have not officially begun, but the vast differences between the cities of Atlanta and London and between the United States and the United Kingdom insist that they will be an entirely different experience from the 1996 games. Furthermore, the fact that sixteen event-filled years separate these two ceremonies presents even more reason to believe that there will be major deviations between the two. This is the veritable beauty of the modern games: no Olympics will ever be the same, and each year just gets better and better.
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Sean Leonard
Dr. Bonnie Tiell
MGT 390: Theory and Organization of the Olympic Games
7/21/12
The Olympic games is widely regarded as one of the largest, most extravagant events on the entire planet. The original Olympic games originated in ancient Greece (around 776 BC) and featured competitors from different Greek cities such as Athens, Sparta and Croton (Olympic Games, 2012). The games were created with the intention to bring honor to the Greek god of the sky, Zeus, who hails from Mount Olympus (Olympic Games, 2012). The games lasted for almost four centuries until either the Roman emperor Theodosius I or his son Theodosius II abolished the event due to its non-Christian nature (Olympic Games, 2012). French educator Baron Pierre de Coubertin officially revived the Olympic games in 1896, but this time, the games allowed for athletes from around the world to compete. The first modern Olympic festival was held in Athens, Greece, but since then, the games have been held all over the world, including Sydney, Australia; Barcelona, Spain; Munich, Germany; Los Angeles, California, United States; and many other locations. Hosting the Olympics has become an incredible opportunity for countries to promote their culture, economy and environment to the rest of the world. It also makes each version of the Olympic games much different from all others, in terms of geography, politics, people, traditions, and other things. Two countries that have hosted the Olympics multiple times are the United States of America and the United Kingdom. In this paper, the two most recent summer games from each country will be compared to display significant differences between both countries: the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, and the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, England, United Kingdom.
In the summer of 1996, the centennial anniversary of the modern Olympic games, the city of Atlanta, Georgia, had the distinction of hosting the Olympics. Atlanta is the most populous city in Georgia, a state located in the southeastern US, and it is an important transportation, commercial, and financial center in the Southeast (Ambrose, 2012). Atlanta was founded in 1837, about twenty years prior to the beginning of the Civil War (Ambrose, 2012). Atlanta sits in the northwestern part of Georgia, just south of the Blue Ridge Mountains and southeast of the Chattahoochee River. The city is geographically unique to other cities in the South because it has a high mean elevation of about 1,050 feet, or 320 meters, above sea level (Ambrose, 2012). This means that Atlanta’s climate is far more temperate than other cities in Georgia (Ambrose, 2012). Both the city of Atlanta and the state of Georgia share the same democratic political structure as the rest of the United States. The United States is governed by three political branches: a legislative branch consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives, an executive branch led by the President of the United States, and a judicial branch controlled by the US Supreme Court. The legislative branch features both the Senate (two Senators per state) and the House (representation based on state population proportions) working together to propose or approve new US laws. The executive branch revolves around the President and his extensive powers, such as his right to veto legislation and his power to appoint court judges. The judicial branch deals with the United States court system and its role in mediating conflicts and upholding justice within the country. These three branches all contribute equally through a system of checks and balances that prevents one branch from becoming too powerful. The United States also features a two-party political system, in which the Republican Party and the Democratic Party compete against each other in elections and other political endeavors to promote the country’s best interests. There are also a number of third parties and independents that exist in American politics, but they lack the power and structure of the Republicans and Democrats.
London, England is the site of this summer’s Olympic games. London is the UK’s biggest metropolis, the capital of the UK, the main cultural, economic, and transportation center of the UK, and one of the world’s oldest and most famous cities (London, 2012). The city is located in the southeastern portion of England, close to the River Thames. The east-flowing Thames provides transportation and trade routes for citizens all around the London area, and it divides the northern and southern portions of London (London, 2012). London is located further away from the equator than Atlanta, which means that it boasts a cooler mean temperature and receives more precipitation throughout the year. London was founded back when the Romans ruled over much of Europe, a time when the city was called “Londinium” (London, 2012). The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy. The Queen of England serves as the Head of State, but the British Parliament has the power to make and pass legislation within the United Kingdom (“The official website: monarchy,” 2008/09). The Queen is politically neutral, but she is required to commence each new Parliament discussion and to maintain a strong relationship with the Prime Minister, regardless of his or her political ties (“The official website: Queen,” 2008/09). The Queen and the Royal Family make up the Sovereign division of the UK’s governing structure. These people serve as both the Head of State (filled with constitutional and representational tasks) and the Head of the Nation (including less formal rules such as recognition for others’ successes) (“The official website: Sovereign”). The other part of the structure is controlled by the UK’s Parliament, which consists of the House of Lords (mostly appointed) and the House of Commons (publicly elected) (“The two-house system”). The United Kingdom has a political system dominated by three parties: the Labour Party, the Conservative Party, and the Liberal Democrat Party (“Political parties in Parliament”). Similar to the United States, there are a number of smaller parties that exist to focus on more specific government interests, but they are not as powerful or as structured as the three main ones.
As of the 2010 census, there are 420,003 people living in Atlanta, which is about 4.33% of Georgia’s total population (U.S. Census Bureau, 2012). 19.4% of Atlanta’s population is under 18 years of age, and 9.8% is 65 years of age and over (U.S. Census Bureau, 2012). The city is about half male and half female, and the population is 59.7% Caucasian (U.S. Census Bureau, 2012). African Americans make up 30.5% of the city’s population, which comprises the largest minority population in Atlanta by far (U.S. Census Bureau, 2012). This can be attributed mainly to Georgia’s history as a slave state. In the late 1700s and early 1800s, African slaves were auctioned off to wealthy plantation owners in the southern states to make plantation labor easier for them. Many slaves tried to escape to the northern states, which had far fewer slaves and slave owners, but most failed. However, during the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln signed the emancipation proclamation, which outlawed slavery in the United States and turned African Americans into free men and women. Unfortunately, this did not stop Atlanta and the state of Georgia from promoting racial segregation and inhibiting the rights of African Americans in any way possible. This all changed in the 1960s, when Martin Luther King Jr., an Atlanta native, became the figurehead for the Civil Rights Movement in the southeastern United States. Dr. King’s efforts helped improve the lives of thousands of African Americans living in the South. Throughout the 1990s, Atlanta trailed only Phoenix, Arizona, in its rate of population growth, a fact that is likely linked to the improved tourism industry and community infrastructure from the 1996 Olympics (Ambrose, 2012). Today, Atlanta houses a vibrant art scene. It contains several high-profile art museums, such as the High Museum of Art, as well as a puppetry arts center, America’s oldest professional ballet company, and many other performance spaces for theatre and music (Ambrose, 2012). Atlanta is also known for being one of America’s greatest sports cities. It holds a professional basketball team (the Hawks), a professional football team (the Falcons), a professional baseball team (the Braves), and more.
As of 2007, London is home to 7,556,900 people, which is almost eighteen times the population of Atlanta (London, 2012). London’s population hit its peak at about 8.6 million people right before the beginnings of World War II (London, 2012). London is a highly cosmopolitan city filled with people of different ethnicities and backgrounds (London, 2012). In the late nineteenth century, immigrants from China, Italy, France, Germany, Scandinavia, and other places began to flood into England and occupy London (London, 2012). Today, nearly a third of London’s resident population originates from an overseas country (London, 2012). Tourism is one of London’s largest industries, partially because this city contains some of the most famous man-made structures on Earth, including London Bridge and the clock tower known as “Big Ben.” London also has an impressive art culture, brimming with museums, art galleries, performing arts theatres, and opera houses to fulfill the refined artistic tastes of London’s residents (London, 2012). Furthermore, London has a rich history in sports and competition. In London, soccer (or what they call football) is king. The city is home to several different clubs, such as Chelsea, West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur, and Arsenal (London, 2012). Many citizens enjoy watching these and other club teams play in the English Premiere League and the Union of European Football Associations Champions League. In addition, sports such as cricket, tennis, golf, and horse racing are also very popular throughout London (London, 2012).
The 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta was a very special event because it marked the 100-year anniversary of the first modern Olympic ceremonies. To commemorate this anniversary, Atlanta preserved its main tourist area for the 1996 Olympics, known as Centennial Olympic Park, as a monument to these games (Poynter & MacRury, 2009: pg. 125). The city set aside about twenty-one acres of unoccupied land to create the park (Poynter & MacRury, 2009: pg. 125). Atlanta was surprisingly awarded the right to host the Centennial Olympics after edging out strong bids by Toronto, Canada; Melbourne, Australia; and Athens, Greece (Weisman, 1990). Six years later, the games began on July 19, 1996, with retired American boxing legend Muhammad Ali lighting the Olympic cauldron during the opening ceremonies (“Atlanta 1996,” 2012). The Games lasted until August 4, 1996, and featured thirty-seven different Olympic sport competitions (“Atlanta 1996,” 2012). All 197 National Olympic Committees were represented at these Games, a first in Olympic history at that point (“Atlanta 1996,” 2012). There were a total of 10,318 athletes competing at these Games, with 3,512 being women and 6,806 being men (“Atlanta 1996,” 2012). Many new sports such as beach volleyball, mountain biking, lightweight rowing, women’s football, and softball all made their first appearances in the Olympics (“Atlanta 1996,” 2012). Seventy-nine different countries were awarded medals for their athletes’ performances, which was a record at that time (“Atlanta 1996,” 2012). A sailor named Hubert Raudaschi from Austria set a significant attendance record record, becoming the first athlete to participate in nine different Summer Olympics (“Atlanta 1996,” 2012). On the track, Marie-José Pérec from France and Michael Johnson from the United States grabbed headlines with a couple of unforgettable performances. Pérec became one of the greatest French athletes in history by winning the 200-meter dash and becoming the first athlete to win two gold medals in a row in the 400-meter dash (“Atlanta 1996,” 2012). Johnson became the first man in Olympic history to run both the 200 and 400, and he set a world record in the 200 that stood until Usain Bolt bested it in 2008 (“Atlanta 1996,” 2012). These Olympics were remembered for many reasons, some glorious and, as you will see, some tragic.
In hosting the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, London became the first city to host the modern Olympic games three different times, the first two being in 1908 and 1948 (Weed, 2008: pg. 187). However, this is the first time that London was given a full four-year period to prepare for the Olympics (Weed, 2008: pg. 188). In 1908, the bid was originally rewarded to Rome, Italy, but the eruption of Mount Vesuvius caused a lot of damage, which messed with the city’s Olympic budget (Weed, 2008: pp. 187-88). Eventually, Italy told the International Olympic Committee, the main organization that oversees all Olympic activity, to give the responsibility of hosting the Games to another city, and London was the lone volunteer (Weed, 2008: pg. 188). London was originally supposed to host the Games in 1944, but the outbreak of World War II caused the Games to be cancelled (Weed, 2008: pg. 188). The war ended in 1945, and London was again tabbed by the IOC to host the 1948 Games, but with only three years to prepare and limited resources and finances (Weed, 2008: pg. 188). In 2005, London outbid the cities of Paris, France, and Madrid, Spain, at an IOC meeting in Singapore to be awarded its third Summer Olympics (Poynter & MacRury, 2009: pg. 185). The Games are set to begin on July 27, 2012, and are set to end on August 12, 2012. Many of the individual stars from the 2008 Beijing Olympics, including Nastia Liuken from the United States, Michael Phelps from the United States, and Usain Bolt from Jamaica, are set to return to this year’s competition. Standout gymnast Shawn Johnson from the United States retired earlier this year after continuing struggles with her knees. In swimming, Ryan Lochte from the United States has been grabbing headlines by beating Michael Phelps in some Olympic preliminary events, perhaps becoming a favorite in this year’s competition. In basketball, the United States Olympic team has been decimated by injuries due in large part to a strike-shortened regular season in the National Basketball Association. In tennis, 2008 singles gold medalist Rafael Nadal from Spain will not compete in this year’s games because of some issues with his knees. These are just a few storylines heading into the 2012 Summer Olympics.
The Centennial Olympic games have received mixed reviews from city officials, media outlets, IOC members, and others following the Olympics. In general, the media has criticized these Games as “over commercialized and poorly organized” (Poynter & MacRury, 2009: pg. 122). Some have linked this “poor organization” to the fact that these Olympics were almost entirely run by a private entity: the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games (ACOG) (Gold & Gold, 2007: pg. 44). Many people were convinced that the 1996 Atlanta Olympics would end up being like the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, which was marred by billions of dollars of debt (Yarbrough, 2000: pg. 48). Some were concerned that the Olympics were going to raise taxes to the point where living Atlanta would become nigh impossible (Yarbrough, 2000: pg. 49). The cost of putting on the 1996 Games was estimated to be around $1.7 billion (Yarbrough, 2000: pg. 50). The ACOG tried to divide the how the revenue would be earned as fairly as possible: 41% would come from marketing efforts, 35% from selling broadcast rights fees to different parts of the world, 14% from ticket revenue, 2% from merchandise, and 8% from miscellaneous sources such as donations and concessions (Yarbrough, 2000: pg. 50). The ACOG joined forces with the United States Olympic Committee to form the Atlanta Centennial Olympic Properties (ACOP), which made selling sponsorships easier because it avoided conflict (Yarbrough, 2000: pg. 50). The ACOG also worked together in marketing international sponsorships with the IOC, forming a program known as The Olympic Programme III (TOP) (Yarbrough, 2000: pg. 51). In the end, the TOP, ACOP, and a myriad of smaller organizations managed to attract well over forty different sponsors and suppliers (Yarbrough, 2000: pg. 51). These included NationsBank (now Bank of America), McDonalds, Coca-Cola, Nike, AT&T, and many more. The federal government also contributed to the spending effort by using millions of dollars on infrastructure and housing developments in Atlanta (Poynter & MacRury, 2009: pg. 124). These changes, plus a clean balance sheet and an upsurge of tourism, greatly increased the quality of life for Atlanta residents and visitors alike for years to come (Poynter & MacRury, 2009: pg. 122).
The massive upgrade to Atlanta’s infrastructure seemed like an ambitious goal at the time, but with assistance from the federal government, the ACOG and the IOC were able to make the city fit for the Olympics. A similar overhaul in infrastructure and city development was regarded as an important goal from the very beginning for British parliament. A day after London won the bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics, Jack Straw, then Secretary of State, issued this statement:
“London’s bid was built on a special Olympic vision. That vision of an Olympic games that would not only be a celebration of sport but a force for regeneration. The games will transform one of the poorest and most deprived areas of London. They will create thousands of jobs and homes. They will offer new opportunities for business in the immediate area and throughout London…” (Poynter & MacRury, 2009: pg. 185)
The politicians, media personalities, and members of the London Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG) all share the hope that these games will improve the quality of life throughout London, influence younger generations through the Olympic Movement, and make the city more sustainable and less harmful to the environment. The cost of hosting the 2012 Olympics was estimated to be around 9.3 billion British pounds (one British pound equals about one and a half US dollars), but a Mail Online article published in March revealed that the LOCOG erred in its calculations (King, 2012). The games will actually be closer to 11 billion British pounds, due in large part to a greater demand for security officials (King, 2012). This miscalculation now leaves the city in danger of overspending and falling into debt. The TOP Programme is once again responsible for attracting some of the games’ most powerful sponsors (“The Olympic Partner (TOP) Programme,” 2012). Worldwide, these include Coca-Cola, Acer, Atos, Dow, General Electric, McDonald’s, Omega, Panasonic, Proctor & Gamble, Samsung, and Visa (“The Olympic Partner (TOP) Programme,” 2012). The games’ other sponsors act more local; they help supply products for officials and athletes, create ticketing and licensing programmes, and do not compete with the TOP sponsors (“Local Sponsorship Programmes,” 2012). These programs are run by the LOCOG. London’s biggest concern since winning the bid deals with the rising cost of hosting the Olympic games. More advanced technology, the growing threat of terrorism, and the need to make the city fit for hosting the Olympics have all contributed to drastic rises in the overall cost of hosting the games.
The Summer Olympics in Atlanta were held in the mid-1990s, a time where the Internet was relatively new, personal home computers were starting to become common, and when mobile phones were starting to shrink in size. One could say that the 1996 Olympics were the most advanced to date, but that would be redundant because there are four years that separate each ceremony, leaving plenty of time for new and improved technology to be released. Dial-up Internet and limited cell phone features made for a communication system that would likely be described as archaic in today’s world. While the Atlanta games were groundbreaking by the technology standards of 1996, there were many flaws that surfaced throughout the Olympics. On the first day of the events, the transportation system was a problem for both spectators and press because of heavy traffic congestion and malfunctioning public buses (Poynter & MacRury, 2009: pg. 124). The computer system was also flawed, failing to send Olympic results data and causing many journalists to miss their deadlines (Poynter & MacRury, 2009: pg. 124). Furthermore, the security technique was not powerful enough to detect a deadly nail bomb that caused a great deal of tragedy and commotion during the games (Poynter & MacRury, 2009: pg. 125). These errors in communication, transportation, and security at the 1996 games showed the world that technology still needed to take another step in order to become dependable enough to make the Olympics easier to host.
The 2012 Olympics may not have been held yet, but they share the same unspoken promise as all others before it: namely, to be the most advanced, in terms of technology and communication. The primary reason behind this deals with the multiple breakthroughs in the technological universe since 1996. Mobile phones come in all shapes and sizes in 2012, and their features are essentially limitless, with text messaging, Internet access, touch screen capabilities, downloadable games and music, and much, much more. Laptop computers, iPad tablets, and Macintosh computers have taken the world of technology to a whole new level and have made computers more portable than ever. Sports fans are also reaping the benefits. They are no longer limited to radio and television for coverage of their favorite sports because the Internet has become so fast and accessible. The televisions of today are also evolving rapidly. Cable and satellite packages such as NFL Sunday Ticket in the United States are able to help sports fans see any team, league, or sport, regardless of where they are in the world. Furthermore, increasing terrorist activity over the past decade has contributed to a more alert security system across the globe. Considering all of these advances in a sixteen-year period, the 2012 London Olympics appear to be on its way to setting the gold standard for technology and communication capabilities.
In 1996, the IOC required that all female athletes undergo a gender verification test to prove that they were actually female. This test was first introduced in the 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble, and it was used to make absolutely sure that men were not posing as females in order to gain a competitive advantage (Topend Sports Network, 1997-2012). Many women considered this practice demeaning and sexist, but it was not until 1999 that the IOC officially canned the test. In 1996, eight female athletes did not pass the test, but they were later cleared to compete after receiving physical examinations (Topend Sports Network, 1997-2012). Also in 1996, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) was still three years away form being established, which implies that some athletes were still getting away with using performance-enhancing drugs (“Wada,” 2010). The biggest scandal of the 1996 games occurred around 1:30 a.m. on the morning of July 27 (HistoryoftheOlympics.com, 2009). Someone had snuck a trio of pipe bombs into a black duffle bag that exploded in the center of the Centennial Olympic Park (HistoryoftheOlympics.com, 2009). One person died because of a nail that drilled into her head following the explosion, and another, a Turkish cameraman, had a heart attack and died while rushing to the scene (Yarbrough, 2000: pg. 8). About 110 others were injured in the blast (Yarbrough, 2000: pg. 9). Despite this tragic accident and the fear that it delivered to spectators and volunteers, the ACOG made the decision to continue with the games as scheduled (Yarbrough, 2000: pg. 8). Surprisingly, the stadiums were at 95% capacity and the volunteer corps at about 85% capacity all throughout that next day (Yarbrough, 2000: pg. 11). A security guard named Richard Jewell found and reported the bag, but he was considered a top suspect for the bombing (HistoryoftheOlympics.com, 2009). He had to endure harsh interrogations by the Federal Bureau of Investigators, but eventually, they found the true criminal: Eric Robert Rudolph (HistoryoftheOlympics.com, 2009). Rudolph was a right-wing extremist who had also bombed an abortion clinic and a lesbian bar in his lifetime (HistoryoftehOlympics.com, 2009). He is currently serving life in prison (HistoryoftheOlympics.com, 2009).
There is not much to say about scandal thus far in the 2012 Summer Olympics because they games have not happened yet. However, the day after London won the bid for the 2012 games is a day that English citizens will not soon forget. On July 7, 2005, there were four suicide bombers that wreaked havoc both on London’s subway network and on a London bus (National September 11 Memorial & Museum, 2012). 52 people were killed and more than 770 were injured as a result of the explosions (National September 11 Memorial & Museum, 2012). The attacks commenced around 8:50 a.m. British Standard Time following a busy rush hour, with the bus explosion occurring about an hour later (National September 11 Memorial & Museum, 2012). The four bombers were all Islamic extremists born in the United Kingdom, and their attack on the city was London’s deadliest since World War II (National September 11 Memorial & Museum, 2012). However, according to then London Mayor Ken Livingstone, London’s Olympic bid did not seem to play a big role in the attacks happening in the first place.
“This was not a terrorist attack against the mighty and the powerful. It was not aimed at Presidents or Prime Ministers. It was aimed at ordinary, working-class Londoners, black and white, Muslim and Christian, Hindu and Jew, young and old. It was an indiscriminate attempt to slaughter, irrespective of any considerations for age, for class, for religion, or whatever” (National September 11 Memorial & Museum, 2012).
There were also recent reports claiming that 27 representatives from 54 countries participating in the Olympics were planning on violating the IOC and selling Olympic tickets on the black market (Gibson, 2012). The reality is that even more scandals such as these are likely to emerge as the games begin very soon.
The Olympic games is a continuously changing entity. The games will always adapt to something new and exciting not only because of the length of time between each ceremony, but also because of the number of different countries that have had the chance to host the games. Each country has left a lasting imprint on the Olympics because hosting the games gives a nation a chance to promote its culture to both the IOC and the hundreds of different nations participating in the games. The 2012 Summer Olympics have not officially begun, but the vast differences between the cities of Atlanta and London and between the United States and the United Kingdom insist that they will be an entirely different experience from the 1996 games. Furthermore, the fact that sixteen event-filled years separate these two ceremonies presents even more reason to believe that there will be major deviations between the two. This is the veritable beauty of the modern games: no Olympics will ever be the same, and each year just gets better and better.
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Culture and Traditions: Atlanta
- Atlanta is the quintessential southern United States city.
- Atlanta has a vibrant arts community. It has many different theatres and art galleries, including the High Museum of Art, a puppetry arts center, a historical ballet center, and much, much more.
- Atlanta has a thriving music culture. A lot of different musical artists started their careers in Atlanta, such as world-renowned R&B singer Usher and contemporary Christian artist Chris Tomlin.
- Atlanta is also known for its sports. It holds three professional sports teams from the Big 4 professional leagues:
- Atlanta Hawks (National Basketball Association)
- Atlanta Falcons (National Football League)
- Atlanta Braves (Major League Baseball)
- Atlanta used to have a National Hockey League team called the Atlanta Thrashers, but the franchise was renamed and relocated last year to become the Winnipeg Jets.
- Atlanta has a vibrant arts community. It has many different theatres and art galleries, including the High Museum of Art, a puppetry arts center, a historical ballet center, and much, much more.
- Atlanta has a thriving music culture. A lot of different musical artists started their careers in Atlanta, such as world-renowned R&B singer Usher and contemporary Christian artist Chris Tomlin.
- Atlanta is also known for its sports. It holds three professional sports teams from the Big 4 professional leagues:
- Atlanta Hawks (National Basketball Association)
- Atlanta Falcons (National Football League)
- Atlanta Braves (Major League Baseball)
- Atlanta used to have a National Hockey League team called the Atlanta Thrashers, but the franchise was renamed and relocated last year to become the Winnipeg Jets.
Culture and Traditions: London
- London is a massive city with a highly cosmopolitan community.
- London is known around the world for its citizens with charming accents, its unique architecture, and its world-famous structures, including London Bridge and "Big Ben."
- London is very high on the arts as well. It holds many art galleries, museums, performing arts theatres, and concert halls. The tastes of London citizens are more refined and classical than those of Atlanta citizens.
- London is also a great sports city. It holds multiple football clubs, an historic tennis area in Wimbledon, and many other sports such as cricket and golf.
- London is known around the world for its citizens with charming accents, its unique architecture, and its world-famous structures, including London Bridge and "Big Ben."
- London is very high on the arts as well. It holds many art galleries, museums, performing arts theatres, and concert halls. The tastes of London citizens are more refined and classical than those of Atlanta citizens.
- London is also a great sports city. It holds multiple football clubs, an historic tennis area in Wimbledon, and many other sports such as cricket and golf.
People, Ethnicity, Diversity: Atlanta
- There are 420,003 people that live in Atlanta, as of the 2010 US census (4.33% of the state of Georgia).
- The city is about half female and half male.
- 19.4% of the population is under 18, and 9.8% is 65 or over.
- Atlanta is about 59.7% Caucasian and 30.5% African American.
- African Americans make up the largest portion of Atlanta's minority population, a fact that can likely be attributed to Georgia's history as a former slave state.
- Atlanta has been one of the fastest-growing cities in America for the past two decades.
- The city is about half female and half male.
- 19.4% of the population is under 18, and 9.8% is 65 or over.
- Atlanta is about 59.7% Caucasian and 30.5% African American.
- African Americans make up the largest portion of Atlanta's minority population, a fact that can likely be attributed to Georgia's history as a former slave state.
- Atlanta has been one of the fastest-growing cities in America for the past two decades.
People, Ethnicity, Diversity: London
- There are 7,556,900 people living in London, as of 2007.
- London reached its population peak around the 1930s, until the outbreak of World War II in Europe.
- The surge of immigration from other European countries in the late 19th century and from nations overseas has helped transform London into one of the biggest cosmopolitan cities in the entire world (about a third of London's population originates from overseas).
- The population is mainly Caucasian, but there are all kinds of races and ethnicities represented in London.
- London reached its population peak around the 1930s, until the outbreak of World War II in Europe.
- The surge of immigration from other European countries in the late 19th century and from nations overseas has helped transform London into one of the biggest cosmopolitan cities in the entire world (about a third of London's population originates from overseas).
- The population is mainly Caucasian, but there are all kinds of races and ethnicities represented in London.
Governance and Power: Atlanta
- Atlanta is currently governed by Mayor Kasim Reed, a Democrat whose term ends in 2013, and by 15 different representatives from the Atlanta City Council.
- The Atlanta City Council consists of 12 members from each of the city's 12 districts and 3 at-large members.
- Atlanta is Georgia's state capital; namely, this means that most of the state's political business is discussed within the confines of the city.
- Atlanta is a well-known haven for the Democratic Party.
- The Atlanta City Council consists of 12 members from each of the city's 12 districts and 3 at-large members.
- Atlanta is Georgia's state capital; namely, this means that most of the state's political business is discussed within the confines of the city.
- Atlanta is a well-known haven for the Democratic Party.
Governance and Power: London
- London is currently governed on two tiers: the city-wide level and the local level.
- City-wide governance is handled by the Greater London Authority (GLA), which consists of both the Mayor of London and the London Assembly. The two share a relationship similar to the President of the United States and US Congress.
- The current Mayor of London is Boris Johnson, a Conservative Party politician who has been in office since 2008.
- Local governance is handled by 33 smaller authorities: the council of the 32 boroughs of London and the City of London Corporation.
- City-wide governance is handled by the Greater London Authority (GLA), which consists of both the Mayor of London and the London Assembly. The two share a relationship similar to the President of the United States and US Congress.
- The current Mayor of London is Boris Johnson, a Conservative Party politician who has been in office since 2008.
- Local governance is handled by 33 smaller authorities: the council of the 32 boroughs of London and the City of London Corporation.
Environmental and Healthcare Concerns: Atlanta
- Between 1988 and 1998, Atlanta's massive growth in infrastructure and housing developments translated to a loss of about 190,000 acres of trees.
- In 1999, lengthy traffic stalls within the city contributed to a record of 69 straight days of smog alerts.
- Also in 1999, Atlanta nearly lost funding for highway developments and public transportation because the city failed to meet the standards of the 1990 Clear Air Act.
- Atlanta has a long history of lengthy droughts, as with the rest of the state that lies south of the mountains.
- Atlanta contains more than 50 hospitals that support about 40,000 patients in the metropolitan area.
- In 1999, lengthy traffic stalls within the city contributed to a record of 69 straight days of smog alerts.
- Also in 1999, Atlanta nearly lost funding for highway developments and public transportation because the city failed to meet the standards of the 1990 Clear Air Act.
- Atlanta has a long history of lengthy droughts, as with the rest of the state that lies south of the mountains.
- Atlanta contains more than 50 hospitals that support about 40,000 patients in the metropolitan area.
Environmental and Healthcare Concerns: London
- London has the reputation of being one of the smokiest, most polluted atmospheres of any city in today's world.
- The Clean Air Acts of 1956 and 1968 helped reduce some of the pollution by outlawing the practice of burning coal, but other chemicals such as carbon monoxide and aldehydes still present a lot of problems for people in London (eye irritation, athsma, bronchitis, etc...)
- London's weather is not consistent enough to allow for a large photochemical smog to accumulate in the city.
- London's water supply used to experience heavy pollution until the city imposed more strict environmental laws and shut down some old factories.
- NHS London Health Programmes are in charge of administrating and innovating healthcare throughout London.
- The Clean Air Acts of 1956 and 1968 helped reduce some of the pollution by outlawing the practice of burning coal, but other chemicals such as carbon monoxide and aldehydes still present a lot of problems for people in London (eye irritation, athsma, bronchitis, etc...)
- London's weather is not consistent enough to allow for a large photochemical smog to accumulate in the city.
- London's water supply used to experience heavy pollution until the city imposed more strict environmental laws and shut down some old factories.
- NHS London Health Programmes are in charge of administrating and innovating healthcare throughout London.
Economic Development: Atlanta
- Atlanta is one of the most important centers of trade and commerce in the southeastern United States.
- Atlanta is home to the World of Coca-Cola, an elaborate building that pays homage to the origins of the world-famous soft drink. Coca-Cola was founded in Atlanta in 1886 by an Atlanta pharmacist named Dr. John S. Pemberton. Dr. Pemberton created a sweet-tasting syrup and mixed it with carbonated water to create a beverage that could be sold at soda fountains. Today, Coca-Cola is a huge Olympic sponsoring company that has sold billions around the world each year.
- Atlanta ranks 17th in the world and 8th in the United States with its economy.
- Atlanta used to be known primarily as one of the great railroad centers of America. It still holds one of the biggest railroad junctions in the country. Nowadays, it is more known for its continuously growing airport.
- Atlanta is also a major media center. Businessman Ted Turner established the Turner Broadcasting System and the Cable News Network within the city.
- Atlanta is home to the World of Coca-Cola, an elaborate building that pays homage to the origins of the world-famous soft drink. Coca-Cola was founded in Atlanta in 1886 by an Atlanta pharmacist named Dr. John S. Pemberton. Dr. Pemberton created a sweet-tasting syrup and mixed it with carbonated water to create a beverage that could be sold at soda fountains. Today, Coca-Cola is a huge Olympic sponsoring company that has sold billions around the world each year.
- Atlanta ranks 17th in the world and 8th in the United States with its economy.
- Atlanta used to be known primarily as one of the great railroad centers of America. It still holds one of the biggest railroad junctions in the country. Nowadays, it is more known for its continuously growing airport.
- Atlanta is also a major media center. Businessman Ted Turner established the Turner Broadcasting System and the Cable News Network within the city.
Economic Development: London
- London is the main cultural, economic, and transportation center of the United Kingdom.
- London rivals New York City in the United States as one of the principal international finance centers in the entire world.
- Finance is the largest industrial field in London. London has more overseas banks than any other city in the world.
- London is home to many major newspaper and television organizations in the United Kingdom, including the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
- Tourism is also a major industry in London. The city attracts around 14 million international tourists every year, more than any other European city.
- London rivals New York City in the United States as one of the principal international finance centers in the entire world.
- Finance is the largest industrial field in London. London has more overseas banks than any other city in the world.
- London is home to many major newspaper and television organizations in the United Kingdom, including the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
- Tourism is also a major industry in London. The city attracts around 14 million international tourists every year, more than any other European city.
Geography and Landmarks: Atlanta
- Atlanta is located in the northeastern part of the state of Georgia, which is located in the southeastern United States.
- The city is located just south of the Blue Ridge Mountains and to the east of the Chattahoochee River.
- Atlanta is often nicknamed "Hotlanta," because of its intense summers and its history of droughts.
- Atlanta actually has one of the cooler average climates in the state of Georgia. Atlanta lies about 1,050 feet above sea level, which contributes to this fact.
- The city is located just south of the Blue Ridge Mountains and to the east of the Chattahoochee River.
- Atlanta is often nicknamed "Hotlanta," because of its intense summers and its history of droughts.
- Atlanta actually has one of the cooler average climates in the state of Georgia. Atlanta lies about 1,050 feet above sea level, which contributes to this fact.
Geography and Landmarks: London
- London is located in the southeastern part of England, which is in the southeastern part of the United Kingdom.
- The River Thames flows eastward through the center of London, dividing the north and south sectors of the city.
- London is farther north compared to a lot of major cities in Europe. Therefore, it receives a lot of rain and cold weather throughout the year.
- London is surrounded by the rolling hills of England's countryside.
- The River Thames flows eastward through the center of London, dividing the north and south sectors of the city.
- London is farther north compared to a lot of major cities in Europe. Therefore, it receives a lot of rain and cold weather throughout the year.
- London is surrounded by the rolling hills of England's countryside.