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As 20th anniversary nears, hear from Atlanta Olympics czar Billy Payne

By Jill Vejnoska
April 25, 2016

Between the Olympics and the Masters, Billy Payne has insider status with two of sports’ most beloved and secretive institutions.

On Thursday, he’ll make a rare public appearance to discuss one of them.

The occasion is the Piedmont Park Conservancy's Landmark Luncheon. It's the 20th anniversary of the nonprofit organization's annual fundraiser and of the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. Payne is the lifelong Georgian who pretty much stunned the world when he got the crazy notion to try and bring the Centennial Olympic Games here — and managed to pull it off. Now chairman of the famously closemouthed Augusta National Golf Club, he will be featured in a "lively conversation" along with Atlanta's own George Hirthler, who's worked on 10 cities' Olympic bids, starting with the one right here in 1996.

The Landmark Luncheon begins at 11 a.m. on The Promenade overlooking the park’s stunning Legacy Fountain. Tickets are $125 and may be purchased online at www.piedmontpark.org.

Related: Yes, London, the Olympics were held in Atlanta

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Jill Vejnoska
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