ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, July 28, 1996 TAG: 9607300067
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-5 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: ATLANTA
SOURCE: The Miami Herald
MANY PARENTS, however, are leaving their children at home. Before the bombing, Centennial Park was a haven for families. It is now closed indefinitely.
The late-night explosion in the heart of the downtown park where thousands of people were celebrating the Olympics fiercely shook fans' spirit, but it didn't stop them from cheering at sporting events hours later.
Fans braved rain and intense security at Olympic Stadium to watch track and field events and at Atlanta Beach to watch beach volleyball. Both venues were almost filled.
``It's a little bit disturbing, but not enough to make us not go,'' said George Hernandez, 26, a project manager for Motorola, who flew from Miami hours after the explosion with his brother Oscar, 25. ``I guess you'll think about things more, but I don't think it'll change our plans.''
Miami attorney Jay Lorenzo said he would not let the bombing stop him from enjoying the Olympics. ``We are going to experience something that is part of this nation, and most people aren't going to allow themselves to be intimidated into not going. I'm hoping in a couple of days, the spirit will return. No doubt we'll be more cautious, and no doubt keep an eye out for strange bags, but I think you've got to retain that good-time attitude.''
Those who are missing out on the fun are the children. Centennial Park, where the bombing took place, had been a haven for families. Children got to frolic in a fountain shaped like the Olympic rings, trade pins and run around.
The park was closed Saturday, and one official said it would remain closed indefinitely.
James and Cindy Saxon of Tampa, Fla. went to Olympic Stadium as planned to watch the track and field events, but left their 8-and 10-year-old daughters with friends.
``We almost didn't come, but you can't let terrorists run your lives,'' James Saxon said. ``We wanted our kids to see the Olympic Stadium, but after what happened, that was the deciding factor in their not coming.''
Jim Pareigis of Nashville, Tenn., said his friends would also keep their children home. ``It's just so sad,'' Pareigis said ``Another couple has two children - they came down from Memphis [Tenn.] - and their big thing was to go to Centennial Park and hang out. They are very fearful now of going into Atlanta. They don't want to go with the kids at all.''
But mostly, fans refused to give in to the terrorism. ``We've gotten the opportunity to be here, and we're not about to give it up,'' said Bill Cissna of Kernersville, N.C., who went to volleyball with his wife and son. ``I think it was pretty much an act of cowardice more than an act of terrorism. I don't expect anything else to happen inside the facilities.''
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Said Greg Birtsch of Knoxville, Tenn., who also attended the volleyball matches Saturday, ``It's a shame; otherwise it doesn't seem to have affected people very much. People figure if it's going to happen, it's going to happen. There's nothing you can do about it.''
Some fans missed the start of their events Saturday because of the extensive security checks and an occasional hard rain, but there were few complaints. People passed the time by talking quietly about the attack, or joking about the wait.
One group outside the Omni was even led in a rousing rendition of the ``Hokey-Pokey'' by a volunteer from the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games.
``We had to wait in the rain before they let us in, and it was no big deal at all,'' said Robin Krug of Pittsburgh.
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Many fans said they were frightened by the attack. - especially since it occurred in a place that was supposed to symbolize the harmony and good will of the Olympic Games. Before the bombing, the free park was jammed daily with spectators passing time between events and people who wanted a taste of the games without buying a ticket. The party often spilled out onto the streets.
If the park reopens, some visitors said, they will avoid it, because unlike at competition venues there have been no security checks.
But staying away means the terrorists have won, said Tina Louret of Atlanta. She wore a T-shirt that read: ``Don't let your fears stand in the way of your dreams.''
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