local
Man who helped bring the Olympics to Atlanta says his work helped set the FIFA stage
By Karyn Greer at WSB-TV (ABC) - News
· July 1, 2026
· 2 min read
Almost exactly 30 years after Atlanta was thrust onto the world’s stage during the 1996 Olympic Games, the city is once again playing international host with the FIFA World Cup.Channel 2’s Karyn Greer sat down with Billy Payne, one of the people who helped bring the Olympics to Atlanta, to discus...
Key takeaway Channel 2’s Karyn Greer sat down with Billy Payne, one of the people who helped bring the Olympics to Atlanta, to discuss how his work led the city to where it is today.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
The FIFA World Cup's presence in Atlanta is a testament to the city's growth as an international host city, a reputation that was cemented by the 1996 Olympic Games. Billy Payne's efforts to bring the Olympics to Atlanta laid the groundwork for the city's current infrastructure, which includes world-class venues like Mercedes-Benz Stadium and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. This infrastructure has made Atlanta an attractive location for international events, and the city is now reaping the benefits. The economic boost from hosting the World Cup, as seen in the surge of short-term rental bookings, is a direct result of the city's ability to host large-scale events. As Atlanta celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Centennial Olympic Games, it's clear that the city's investment in its infrastructure and international reputation has paid off, positioning it as a prime destination for global events.
About this story
Original reporting by WSB-TV (ABC) - News . The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSB-TV (ABC) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 1, 2026 ·
Source: WSB-TV (ABC) - News ·
Reading time: 2 min
Get more The Atlanta stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering local and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Almost exactly 30 years after Atlanta was thrust onto the world’s stage during the 1996 Olympic Games, the city is once again playing international host with the FIFA World Cup.Channel 2’s Karyn Greer sat down with Billy Payne, one of the people who helped bring the Olympics to Atlanta, to discus...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 1, 2026 by WSB-TV (ABC) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Karyn Greer at WSB-TV (ABC) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Atlanta, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More local →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter