 Interactive map of World Athletes Monument | |
| Coordinates | 33°47′36″N84°23′11″W / 33.793349°N 84.386487°W /33.793349; -84.386487 |
|---|---|
| Completion date | 1996 |
TheWorld Athletes Monument, more commonly known as thePrince Charles Monument orPrince of Wales Monument,[1] is a monument located inAtlanta,Georgia, United States. The monument, dedicated to the1996 Summer Olympics, is a gift from thePrince of Wales. The monument is located on Peachtree Street, atPershing Point, inMidtown Atlanta.
The statue is carved inIndiana limestone topped by bronze statues, and stands 55 feet (17 m) tall. It has a conical base circled by five stone bands which have two aedicules on the Peachtree Street axis, within which are plaques honoring the patrons who built the building. Above the base is atholos circled by fiveDoric columns, representing the five continents, which support five bronzeAtlases who together carry a globe. Acauldron is within the tholos and emits a fire evoking the Olympic torch. Taking advantage of the avenue being straight for a number of blocks, which is unusual in Atlanta, the monument was intentionally aligned with the tower of the 19th-century Gothic Peachtree Christian Church a few blocks away.[2]
The Prince of Wales's Institute of Architecture held an international competition for the design of the monument. The competition was won by Anton Glikin, aSt. Petersburg, Russia architect and Institute student. The land was donated by theGeorgia Department of Transportation. With the lead donation from the Randall family of Atlanta, construction began. The monument was dedicated during the Centennial Olympic Games byLord Morris of Castle Morris representingQueen Elizabeth II.[3][2]
On August 31, 1997Diana, Princess of Wales, was killed in an automobile accident inParis. During this time,CNN estimated over 20,000 people were drawn to the World Athletes Monument to grieve and pay their respects. The Atlanta City Council dedicated the space as the Prince of Wales’s Monument atPrincess Diana Square.[citation needed]
On June 5, 2004, PresidentRonald Reagan died and once again thousands of people congregated around the World Athletes Monument to grieve. The monument was enshrouded with flags, candles, flowers and other mementos. It has also become a gathering place for sports victories and other civic uses the citizens of Atlanta choose to celebrate.[citation needed]
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