The '96 Effect (2021)
A Quick TV Review

Paired with Sisters of '96, released similarly on Peacock in 2021 ahead of the delayed Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics, The '96 Effect aims to celebrate the powerful moment in sports, particularly women's sports, that the Atlanta 1996 Games provided.

The two documentaries do share a similar feel in production - minimal staging in light of filming during the pandemic at the time, and a breeziness that belies the seriousness of the impact had.

For its part, The '96 Effect offers a look at Team USA's successes in women's gymnastics, basketball, soccer, and softball in Atlanta, buoyed by quick soundbites from an impressive roster of stars from then - gymnasts Shannon Miller, Amanda Borden, and Dominique Dawes, basketball players Lisa Leslie, Sheryl Swoopes, and Dawn Staley, soccer stars Mia Hamm, Shannon MacMillan, Julie Foudy, Joy Fawcett, Briana Scurry, and Kristine Lilly, and softball-ers Dot Richardson, Lisa Fernandez, and Laura Berg. A theme of mutual admiration is certainly conveyed, as one team's success was noted by the others as motivation. 

​The '96 Effect does a good job reiterating the confluence of events that set up the Atlanta Games as the 'women's Games'. Coming 24 years after the passage of the 'Title IX' federal law that ensured equal access to sports for women in education, these were the first Games that featured women in the United States who had 'grown up' with that increased access, lending an air of competitiveness to the teams. As well, these were the first Olympics to feature both women's soccer and women's softball - luckily for the U.S., two sports where a Team USA victory was not unlikely. And, oh yeah, sports mega-marketer Nike signed its first women athletes in 1995, providing a platform of visibility just ahead of the Games not seen before.

From there, Team USA cemented an upward trajectory of dominance in all four sports, not to mention the launch of the WNBA and professional soccer.

That's all great! It's too bad then that The '96 Effect comes off much lighter than the athletes' impact. Perhaps splitting the production into three parts is probably the problem - with each chapter around only 25 minutes, there isn't enough in each to feel weight.

But on the plus side, it is fun to see the athletes comment on each other and relive 1996 for a moment. Those U.S. Games were a boon to women's sports awareness in this country. Hopefully, we'll be able to enjoy deeper looks of that in the future.

Could budding Team Great Britain's budding Olympic skateboarding star Sky Brown also compete in surfing at Tokyo 2020?

The Bridge asks if 38-year-old Mary Kom can win boxing gold at Tokyo 2020 after bronze at London 2012.

Relive Sturla Holm Laegreid's breakout 2020/21 biathlon season, courtesy of IBU TV'S "Best 5 Moments".

Judoka Lioc Pietri reflects on a "small mistake" that pushes him now to focus on Paris 2024.

FIVB's Roster 100 series looks at Norwegian stars Anders Mol and Christian Sorum, the current top-ranked beach players.

Ever want to go behind-the-scenes of Team Canada's divers in training? Team Canada has you covered.

More biathlon: Italian Nicole Gontier retires after two Olympic appearances and two World Championship medals.

Brazilian soccer superstar Marta shares her start in the sport with The Players' Tribune.

Kyle Dake and Helen Maroulis headline the results of Team USA's Olympic Trials for wrestling.

"Leaner and stronger", Irish swimmer Shane Ryan hope his new level of fitness bodes well for Olympic success this summer.

Rikako Ikee: Anyone needing a feel-good story? Start here. And watch this.

More swimming: Not all Olympic medals lead to immediate euphoria and satisfaction. Daniel Kowalski's Atlanta 1996 success started a period of depression.

Karate star Douglas Brose uses his sport to help his community and support the International Day of Sport for Development and Perace.

Beijing 2022 checks in with Guo Dan and her rise in speed skating after a start in roller skating.

HIgh jumper Priscilla Frederick-Loomis gives testament to the effects of Covid-19 as she battles through recovery to make it to Tokyo 2020.

Middle distance runner Bryce Hoppel reflects on his steady rise in the 800 meters with World Athletics.

Athens 2004 medal-winning kayaker Nathan Baggaley found guilty in a drugs case in Australia.

Soccer star Alex Morgan and basketball player Sue Bird will produce a retrospective TOGETHXR documentary on Atlanta 1996's role in lifting women's sports.

Speaking of film, get to (re) know Rulon Gardner ahead of watching Rulon, an Olympic Channel feature highlighting his championship wrestling beginnings and career.

The IAAF's Diamond League returned to serious action on Friday, highlighted by Joshua Cheptegi's world record in the 5,000 meters. It was a record that had stood for 16 years, and one targeted by the world champion this year. Between that performance and the slew of other continental and personal records set across the meet - including Faith Kipyegon's .17-off the 1,000 meters world record - it's apparent that a lot of folk were ready for fast times right about this time of year. "This time of year", of course and unfortunately, is one week after when Tokyo 2020 athletics were to have been contested.

And, Cheptegei may not be done yet!

Ahead of the Monaco meeting, budding Olympic superstar Noah Lyles opened up to Tokyo 2020 on his mental health challenges as he looks forward to next year's Games.

Meanwhile, another U.S. sprint star, Justin Gatlin, previews his 'side of his story' as he looks ahead to his career winding down, and shares his 'Gatlin UNTOLD' documentary.

The Guardian took a quick look recently at Observer Magazine's coverage of Montreal 1976, dubbing it 'the troubled Games'. Though, not sure the point of The Guardian's brief share, other than maybe take an opportunistic dig.

As part of its on-going Olympic retrospective, The Associated Press looks back at Atlanta 1996 as a milestone Games for women athletes. I certainly remember, here in the United States, that that was a definite media storyline, with good reason as the U.S. women dominated gymnastics, basketball, soccer, and softball in very visible and lasting fashion.

Javelin star Julius Yego weighs in on his prospects for the postponed Games with Capital Sport.

I knew that name was familiar! The Chinese Global Television Network reports that Zhou Jihong is targeting a vice-president role next year with FINA. Zhou was the first of a long - a very long - line of Chinese diving gold medalists when she won the 10-meter platform event at Los Angeles 1984. Amongst other accolades, she is the first Chinese diver to have been inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame. I'm at-the-moment agnostic on her expected candidacy, but I sure love the memory of excitement watching the then-unknown Chinese team make a grand statement at those Games.

Uh-oh: Cross-country star Petter Northug, Jr. finds himself in a tough spot, after a traffic stop leads to a drugs scandal for the retired athlete. Owning up to it in an Instagram post, Northug awaits legal fallout.

A reminder on the disadvantages a lot of the world's athletes face when aiming for sport success...who wouldn't root for these South Sudanese?

The Olympic Channel's Nick McCarvel checks in on the long, unique rivalry - and bond - between tennis stars and multi-medalist sisters Venus and Serena Williams.

On a roll McCarvel also shares an engaging interview with Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizerone, reigning silver medalist ice dancers, revealing what they've been up to in the last months and their evolution in style.

Qatar 2032?: Again, please...no.

R.I.P. to Gergely Kulcsar, one-time giant of track and field, and three-time medalist.