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The Haunting Remains of Sarajevo’s War-Ravaged Winter Olympics Venue

The Haunting Remains of Sarajevo’s War-Ravaged Winter Olympics Venue

From an altitude of 1,600 feet on Mount Trebević, the sight of Sarajevo to the north is truly superb. However, the Bosnian capital is a long way off, and its bustling streets are a far cry from the scenery surrounding this vantage point. Here, decaying slabs of concrete wrestle with vegetation as nature attempts to reclaim a long-empty structure. The colorful designs of local graffiti artists also decorate the man-made construction – as do, upon closer inspection, the traces of war.

These are the ruins of Sarajevo’s 1984 Winter Olympics bobsleigh and luge track, and its bare bones tell a grim tale. The tens of thousands of excited, expectant spectators who turned up to watch a record-breaking number of competing countries are long gone. Today the site is only eerie and silent and acts as a stark reminder of the destruction wrought by conflict.

In 1978 it was decided that the 14th Winter Olympic Games would be held in Sarajevo, and the choice was a significant one. It was to be the inaugural winter Olympic competition to be staged in a Communist nation and represented a neutral location in a world still in the throes of the Cold War.
To transform the city into an Olympic hub, the hosts spent approximately $150 million – or the equivalent of around $347 million now – developing the necessary sporting structures, lodgings and transportation links.
To transform the city into an Olympic hub, the hosts spent approximately $150 million – or the equivalent of around $347 million now – developing the necessary sporting structures, lodgings and transportation links.
In the city itself, the five rings of the Olympics logo were placed on a central tower, and the Zetra facility was erected for skating events. Indeed, Sarajevans were very proud of their successful Olympic bid.
Forty-nine countries went on to field 998 male and 274 female athletes over the course of 39 events during the games. T

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The Haunting Remains of Sarajevo’s War-Ravaged Winter Olympics Venue<br /> <br /> From an altitude of 1,600 feet on Mount Trebević, the sight of Sarajevo to the north is truly superb. However, the Bosnian capital is a long way off, and its bustling streets are a far cry from the scenery surrounding this vantage point. Here, decaying slabs of concrete wrestle with vegetation as nature attempts to reclaim a long-empty structure. The colorful designs of local graffiti artists also decorate the man-made construction – as do, upon closer inspection, the traces of war.<br /> <br /> These are the ruins of Sarajevo’s 1984 Winter Olympics bobsleigh and luge track, and its bare bones tell a grim tale. The tens of thousands of excited, expectant spectators who turned up to watch a record-breaking number of competing countries are long gone. Today the site is only eerie and silent and acts as a stark reminder of the destruction wrought by conflict.<br /> <br /> In 1978 it was decided that the 14th Winter Olympic Games would be held in Sarajevo, and the choice was a significant one. It was to be the inaugural winter Olympic competition to be staged in a Communist nation and represented a neutral location in a world still in the throes of the Cold War.<br /> To transform the city into an Olympic hub, the hosts spent approximately $150 million – or the equivalent of around $347 million now – developing the necessary sporting structures, lodgings and transportation links.<br /> To transform the city into an Olympic hub, the hosts spent approximately $150 million – or the equivalent of around $347 million now – developing the necessary sporting structures, lodgings and transportation links.<br /> In the city itself, the five rings of the Olympics logo were placed on a central tower, and the Zetra facility was erected for skating events. Indeed, Sarajevans were very proud of their successful Olympic bid.<br /> Forty-nine countries went on to field 998 male and 274 female athletes over the course of 39 events during the games. T