I remember the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games being a huge deal. Maybe it was just because I lived here in the US, where the games were held, and the full propaganda machine was pushing out every merchandise and advertising agreement they could, but I easily remember what seemed like the whole country was focused on those games.
I certainly remember spending most of the summer of 1996 staying up late watching several events with my brother, especially the gymnastics and wrestling events.
This year's Olympics? Unfortunately, I don't think anyone really cares. The games have been so politicized, and with COVID, nobody seems to be even talking about the games unless an athlete is making headlines for quitting or what have you. Nobody I know has any clue what is going on in Tokyo this year. Admittedly, it could be because, in 1996, we had very little to fill our free time with, and in 2021 we have 50 different streaming platforms and devices to fill every waking moment. The time difference from Japan to the United States doesn't help much, either.
In 1996 though, it seemed like everyone was on top of the games and knew the top athletes in most events.
What was everyone in my age group doing in 1996, also? Playing with POGS, of course!
POGS (or "Milk Caps") is played with flat circular cardboard milk jug caps. Players make a stack of these caps and take turns to drop a heavier "slammer," causing the caps to be disrupted. Each player keeps the face-up caps and restacks the face-down ones, repeating the process until there is a winner.
The name POGS comes from the original brand of juice, "POG," where the game was created in Hawaii. The drink was a mixture of Passionfruit, Orange, and Guava juice.
Upon opening this pack of milk caps, I sort of felt short-changed, even 25 years later. They promise 5 caps per pack, but 2 of the 5 I received were the same ones! Oh, well!
Enjoy this collection of nostalgia fun from the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia... 25 years ago!
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