Overview The 1996 Olympics returned to the United States after 12 years, to the southern city … There were a total number of 2053 participating athletes from 191 countries. On this day in 1996, sprinter Michael Johnson breaks the world record in the 200 meters to win gold at the Summer Olympics in Atlanta. Contents: Aquatics; Archery; Athletics; Badminton; Baseball; Basketball; Boxing; Canoeing This is a list of medalists at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, USA:. 646 competitors, 375 men and 271 women, took part in 263 events in 31 sports. The United States of America (USA) was the host nation for the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia. At the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, 44 events in athletics were contested.