Venues of the 1984 Winter Olympics
Encyclopedia
For the 1984 Winter Olympics
in Sarajevo
, Yugoslavia
(now Bosnia and Herzegovina
), a total of nine sports venues were used. The idea for the Games came around from a 1968 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development study on promoting winter tourism in Yugoslavia. After Sarajevo was awarded the 1984 Games in 1978, venue construction and renovation took place between 1979 and 1983. Weather postponed the men's downhill alpine skiing event three times before it was finally run. The men's cross-country skiing 30 km event was run during a blizzard. After the war, all but one venue was damaged during the Bosnian War and the Siege of Sarajevo. After the war, Zetra Ice Hall was rebuilt and is in use as of 2010.
, Sarajevo was a popular venue for the forerunner of luge. When the Austro-Hungarian Empire controlled Sarajevo, modern luge, skating, and skiing was introduced. Between the first
and second World Wars
, ski jumps and a mountain lodge was constructed along with the first Yugoslav ski rally at Jahorina in 1937. After World War II, Jahorina in Sarajevo hosted the International Students Winter Week in 1955, a forerunner to the Winter Universiade
that would start five years later in Chamonix
, France
. A 1968 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
study on developing winter tourism in Yugoslavia would serve as a catalyst for a bid for the Winter Olympics. Sarajevo made their bid for the 1984 Winter Games in late 1976 and were awarded the 1984 Games in May 1978. Koševo Stadium which was used for the opening ceremonies was constructed in 1952, renovated in 1966, and renovated again in 1983 in time for the 1984 Winter Olympics. Skendrija II was constructed in 1969. Design and construction for new and existing facilities took place between 1979 and 1983 though a majority of the venues were built completely by 1981.
Yugoslavia hosted the World Ice Hockey Championships in 1966
though those championships took place in Ljubljana
(now in Slovenia
). Sarajevo had its first FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup event in 1975 with a women's giant slalom event.
and Christopher Dean
of Great Britain
arrived early to prepare. At the end of their routine, they were met with applause from the 20 to 30 venue workers who were cleaning the seats and had stopped working to watch Torvill and Dean practice.
Weather postponed the men's downhill three times before it was run finally. Bill Johnson
of the United States
won the event. Nikolay Zimyatov
of the Soviet Union
won the 30 km cross-country skiing event that took place in a blizzard
.
's Marc Girardelli
for the men's giant slalom and a tie between Swiss
skiers Maria Walliser
and Vreni Schneider
for the women's giant slalom. The Zetra Ice Hall played host to the European Figure Skating Championships
in 1987
. Before the Yugoslav Wars
of 1991, the last major winter sports event before the breakup of Yugoslavia was the European Speed Skating Championships
that year.
From 1991 to 1995, the Yugoslav Wars took place that involved independent movements in Bosnia, Croatia
, and Slovenia
, each occurring in 1992-5, 1991-5, and 1991 respectively. The Bosnian War
that lasted from 1992 to 1995 that included the Siege of Sarajevo
which itself lasted from 1992 to 1996. At the early part of the war and the siege, the bobsleigh and luge track was transformed into a field artillery
position for Serbia guerillas, the men's alpine skiing venue was a Serbia military installation, and the Zetra Ice Hall was reduced to rubble. During the closing ceremonies of the 1994 Winter Olympics
in Lillehammer
, IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch
remarked about Sarajevo's situation and the concern for global athletes to assist in the conflict.
After Bosnian War and the Siege of Sarajevo, Zetra Ice Hall (now known as Olympic Hall Juan Antonio Samaranch) was rebuilt in 1997 and reopened in 1999. The Jahorina area where women's alpine skiing took place was the only venue unaffected by the war. There was hope that Sarajevo would bid for the 2010 Winter Olympics
in a sign they had recovered, but the city did make the finalist list for those games.
1984 Winter Olympics
The 1984 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XIV Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated from 8–19 February 1984 in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. Other candidate cities were Sapporo, Japan; and Gothenburg, Sweden...
in Sarajevo
Sarajevo
Sarajevo |Bosnia]], surrounded by the Dinaric Alps and situated along the Miljacka River in the heart of Southeastern Europe and the Balkans....
, Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia refers to three political entities that existed successively on the western part of the Balkans during most of the 20th century....
(now Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
), a total of nine sports venues were used. The idea for the Games came around from a 1968 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development study on promoting winter tourism in Yugoslavia. After Sarajevo was awarded the 1984 Games in 1978, venue construction and renovation took place between 1979 and 1983. Weather postponed the men's downhill alpine skiing event three times before it was finally run. The men's cross-country skiing 30 km event was run during a blizzard. After the war, all but one venue was damaged during the Bosnian War and the Siege of Sarajevo. After the war, Zetra Ice Hall was rebuilt and is in use as of 2010.
Venues
| Venue | Sports | Capacity | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bjelašnica Bjelašnica Bjelašnica is a mountain in central Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is found directly to the southwest of Sarajevo, bordering Mt. Igman. Bjelašnica's tallest peak rises to an elevation of 2067 meters .... |
Alpine skiing Alpine skiing at the 1984 Winter Olympics Alpine skiing at the 1984 Winter Olympics consisted of six events, held near Sarajevo, Yugoslavia .The men's races were held at Bjelašnica, the women's at Jahorina from February 13-19, 1984.... (men) |
Not listed. | |
| Igman, Malo Polje Igman Igman is a mountain in central Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is found directly to the southwest of Sarajevo, bordering Bjelašnica mountain and the city of Ilidža. Igman's highest point, Vlahinja Ridge, is 1502 meters , making it the shortest of the Sarajevo mountains.Igman is a popular destination... |
Nordic combined Nordic combined at the 1984 Winter Olympics -Men's event:February 12, 1984-References:*... (ski jumping), Ski jumping Ski jumping at the 1984 Winter Olympics -Large hill:February 18, 1984-Normal hill:February 12, 1984-References:*... |
Not listed. | |
| Igman, Veliko Polje Igman Igman is a mountain in central Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is found directly to the southwest of Sarajevo, bordering Bjelašnica mountain and the city of Ilidža. Igman's highest point, Vlahinja Ridge, is 1502 meters , making it the shortest of the Sarajevo mountains.Igman is a popular destination... |
Biathlon Biathlon at the 1984 Winter Olympics -10 km:-20 km:One missed target equals a one minute penalty.-4 x 7.5 km relay:-References:*... , Cross-country skiing Cross-country skiing at the 1984 Winter Olympics The 1984 Winter Olympic Games cross country skiing results. The women's 20 km debuted at these games.-15 km:February 13, 1984-30 km:February 10, 1984-50 km:February 19, 1984-4 x 10 km relay:February 16, 1984-5 km:February 12, 1984... , Nordic combined (Cross-country skiing) |
Not listed. | |
| Jahorina Jahorina Mount Jahorina , is a mountain in south-eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina, located southeast of Sarajevo within Republika Srpska. It borders fellow Olympic mountain Trebević... |
Alpine skiing (women) | Not listed. | |
| Koševo Stadium Asim Ferhatovic Hase Stadium Asim Ferhatović Hase Stadium is a stadium owned by the city of Sarajevo. It is also known as Koševo Stadium and formerly Olympic Stadium. Koševo Stadium is located in the Koševo neighborhood of Sarajevo and it is used mostly by FK Sarajevo.... |
Opening ceremonies | 50,000 | |
| Skenderija II Hall Skenderija Skenderija is a city center in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was constructed in 1969 as a cultural and sport center, but was later revitalized and expanded for the 1984 Winter Olympic Games. Below the structure is a shopping mall... |
Figure skating Figure skating at the 1984 Winter Olympics -Medal table:-Men:Referee:* Donald H. GilchristAssistant Referee:* Tjasa AndréeJudges: Vladimir Amsel Gerhard Frey Monique Georgelin Ida Tateoka Ingrid Linke Björn Elwin Tatiana Danilenko Oskar Urban Margaret Berezowski Tsukasa Kimura -Ladies:Katarina Witt became the first lady to repeat as... , Ice hockey Ice hockey at the 1984 Winter Olympics At the 1984 Winter Olympics held in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia, one ice hockey event was held: men's ice hockey. Most of the games were held at the Olympic Hall Zetra and some of the games in Skenderija II olympic hall.-Medalists:Source:* Gold -... |
15,000 | |
| Trebević Trebevic Trebević is a mountain in central Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is found directly to the southeast of Sarajevo, territory of East Sarajevo city, bordering Jahorina mountain. Trebević is 1627 meters tall, making it the second shortest of the Sarajevo mountains.During the Middle Ages, Trebević was... |
Bobsleigh Bobsleigh at the 1984 Winter Olympics -Two-man:-Four-man:-Medal table:-References:**... , Luge Luge at the 1984 Winter Olympics -Men's singles:With his win, Paul Hildgartner becomes the second person to win in both men's singles and doubles . He joins Thomas Köhler, who won the men's singles in 1964 and the doubles in 1968.-Doubles:-Women's singles:-Medal table:-References:... |
4,000 (luge) 7,500 (bobsleigh) |
|
| Zetra Ice Hall | Closing ceremonies, Figure skating, Ice hockey (final) | 15,000 | |
| Zetra Ice Rink Zetra Ice Rink The Zetra Ice Rank is an outdoor venue located in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.Constructed between 1981 and 1982, it hosted the speed skating events for the 1984 Winter Olympics.... |
Speed skating Speed skating at the 1984 Winter Olympics The Speed Skating Competition at the 1984 Winter Olympic Games was held on the outdoor track of the Zetra Ice Rink in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia, from Wednesday February 8 to Sunday February 19, 1984.-500 m:... |
Not listed | |
Before the Olympics
During the reign of the Ottoman EmpireOttoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
, Sarajevo was a popular venue for the forerunner of luge. When the Austro-Hungarian Empire controlled Sarajevo, modern luge, skating, and skiing was introduced. Between the first
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and second World Wars
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, ski jumps and a mountain lodge was constructed along with the first Yugoslav ski rally at Jahorina in 1937. After World War II, Jahorina in Sarajevo hosted the International Students Winter Week in 1955, a forerunner to the Winter Universiade
Universiade
The Universiade is an International multi-sport event, organized for university athletes by the International University Sports Federation . The name is a combination of the words "University" and "olympiad"...
that would start five years later in Chamonix
Chamonix
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or, more commonly, Chamonix is a commune in the Haute-Savoie département in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France. It was the site of the 1924 Winter Olympics, the first Winter Olympics...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. A 1968 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development is an international economic organisation of 34 countries founded in 1961 to stimulate economic progress and world trade...
study on developing winter tourism in Yugoslavia would serve as a catalyst for a bid for the Winter Olympics. Sarajevo made their bid for the 1984 Winter Games in late 1976 and were awarded the 1984 Games in May 1978. Koševo Stadium which was used for the opening ceremonies was constructed in 1952, renovated in 1966, and renovated again in 1983 in time for the 1984 Winter Olympics. Skendrija II was constructed in 1969. Design and construction for new and existing facilities took place between 1979 and 1983 though a majority of the venues were built completely by 1981.
Yugoslavia hosted the World Ice Hockey Championships in 1966
1966 World Ice Hockey Championships
The 1966 World Ice Hockey Championships was the 33rd edition of the Ice Hockey World Championships. The tournament was held in Hala Tivoli, Ljubljana, SR Slovenia, Yugoslavia from March 3 to March 14, 1966...
though those championships took place in Ljubljana
Ljubljana
Ljubljana is the capital of Slovenia and its largest city. It is the centre of the City Municipality of Ljubljana. It is located in the centre of the country in the Ljubljana Basin, and is a mid-sized city of some 270,000 inhabitants...
(now in Slovenia
Slovenia
Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of...
). Sarajevo had its first FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup event in 1975 with a women's giant slalom event.
During the Olympics
At the Zetra Ice Rink during practice for the ice dance event the morning before the free dance final, Jayne TorvillJayne Torvill
Jayne Torvill, OBE is a British ice dancer. With Christopher Dean, she won a gold medal at the 1984 Winter Olympics and a bronze medal at the 1994 Winter Olympics.-Early life:...
and Christopher Dean
Christopher Dean
Christopher Colin Dean, OBE is a famous British ice dancer who won a gold medal at the 1984 Winter Olympics with his skating partner Jayne Torvill...
of Great Britain
Great Britain at the 1984 Winter Olympics
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland competed as Great Britain at the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia.-Medallists:- Alpine skiing:MenWomen- Biathlon:MenMen's 4 x 7.5 km relay...
arrived early to prepare. At the end of their routine, they were met with applause from the 20 to 30 venue workers who were cleaning the seats and had stopped working to watch Torvill and Dean practice.
Weather postponed the men's downhill three times before it was run finally. Bill Johnson
Bill Johnson (skier)
William Dean "Bill" Johnson is a former alpine ski racer with the U.S. Ski Team. He was the first American male to win an Olympic gold medal in alpine skiing, winning the downhill at the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. Bill has 2 sons, named Tyler and Nick...
of the United States
United States at the 1984 Winter Olympics
The United States competed at the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia.- Medalists :- Alpine skiing:MenWomen- Biathlon:MenMen's 4 x 7.5km relay1A penalty loop of 150 metres had to be skied per missed target...
won the event. Nikolay Zimyatov
Nikolay Zimyatov
Nikolay Semyonovich Zimyatov , name also spelled Nikolaj Zimjatov, was one of the most successful Soviet/Russian male cross-country skiers ever. He trained at Spartak and later at the Armed Forces sports society...
of the Soviet Union
Soviet Union at the 1984 Winter Olympics
The Soviet Union competed at the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia.-Medalists:- Alpine skiing:MenWomen- Biathlon:MenMen's 4 x 7.5km relay1A penalty loop of 150 metres had to be skied per missed target...
won the 30 km cross-country skiing event that took place in a blizzard
Blizzard
A blizzard is a severe snowstorm characterized by strong winds. By definition, the difference between blizzard and a snowstorm is the strength of the wind. To be a blizzard, a snow storm must have winds in excess of with blowing or drifting snow which reduces visibility to 400 meters or ¼ mile or...
.
After the Olympics
Sarajevo hosted an Alpine Skiing World Cup in March 1987 won by LuxembourgLuxembourg
Luxembourg , officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg , is a landlocked country in western Europe, bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. It has two principal regions: the Oesling in the North as part of the Ardennes massif, and the Gutland in the south...
's Marc Girardelli
Marc Girardelli
Marc Girardelli is a former alpine ski racer, a five time World Cup overall champion who excelled in all five alpine disciplines....
for the men's giant slalom and a tie between Swiss
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
skiers Maria Walliser
Maria Walliser
Maria Walliser is a Swiss former alpine skier.Together with her fellow Swiss Erika Hess, Michela Figini and Vreni Schneider she dominated the female alpine skiing during the 1980s...
and Vreni Schneider
Vreni Schneider
Verena Schneider is a former ski racer from Switzerland. She is the most successful alpine ski racer of her country, the second most successful female ski racer ever and was elected "Swiss Sportswoman of the Century".She won the overall alpine skiing World Cup three times and eleven discipline...
for the women's giant slalom. The Zetra Ice Hall played host to the European Figure Skating Championships
European Figure Skating Championships
The European Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition in which figure skaters compete for the title of European Champion...
in 1987
1987 European Figure Skating Championships
The 1987 European Figure Skating Championships were the European Figure Skating Championships of the 1986-1987 season. Elite senior-level figure skaters from European ISU Member Nations competed for the title of European Champion...
. Before the Yugoslav Wars
Yugoslav wars
The Yugoslav Wars were a series of wars, fought throughout the former Yugoslavia between 1991 and 1995. The wars were complex: characterized by bitter ethnic conflicts among the peoples of the former Yugoslavia, mostly between Serbs on the one side and Croats and Bosniaks on the other; but also...
of 1991, the last major winter sports event before the breakup of Yugoslavia was the European Speed Skating Championships
European Speed Skating Championships
The European Speed Skating Championships are a series of speed skating events held annually to determine the best allround speed skater of Europe. The International Skating Union has organised the European Championships for Men since 1893 and the European Championships for Women since 1970. The...
that year.
From 1991 to 1995, the Yugoslav Wars took place that involved independent movements in Bosnia, Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
, and Slovenia
Slovenia
Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of...
, each occurring in 1992-5, 1991-5, and 1991 respectively. The Bosnian War
Bosnian War
The Bosnian War or the War in Bosnia and Herzegovina was an international armed conflict that took place in Bosnia and Herzegovina between April 1992 and December 1995. The war involved several sides...
that lasted from 1992 to 1995 that included the Siege of Sarajevo
Siege of Sarajevo
The Siege of Sarajevo is the longest siege of a capital city in the history of modern warfare. Serb forces of the Republika Srpska and the Yugoslav People's Army besieged Sarajevo, the capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, from 5 April 1992 to 29 February 1996 during the Bosnian War.After Bosnia...
which itself lasted from 1992 to 1996. At the early part of the war and the siege, the bobsleigh and luge track was transformed into a field artillery
Field artillery
Field artillery is a category of mobile artillery used to support armies in the field. These weapons are specialized for mobility, tactical proficiency, long range, short range and extremely long range target engagement....
position for Serbia guerillas, the men's alpine skiing venue was a Serbia military installation, and the Zetra Ice Hall was reduced to rubble. During the closing ceremonies of the 1994 Winter Olympics
1994 Winter Olympics
The 1994 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XVII Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 12 to 27 February 1994 in and around Lillehammer, Norway. Lillehammer failed to win the bid for the 1992 event. Lillehammer was awarded the games in 1988, after having beat...
in Lillehammer
Lillehammer
is a town and municipality in Oppland county, Norway, globally known for hosting the 1994 Winter Olympics. It is part of the traditional region of Gudbrandsdal. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Lillehammer. As of May 2011, the population of the town of Lillehammer was...
, IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch
Juan Antonio Samaranch
Don Juan Antonio Samaranch y Torelló, 1st Marquis of Samaranch, Grandee of Spain , known in Catalan as Joan Antoni Samaranch i Torelló , was a Catalan Spanish sports administrator who served as the seventh President of the International Olympic Committee from 1980 to 2001...
remarked about Sarajevo's situation and the concern for global athletes to assist in the conflict.
After Bosnian War and the Siege of Sarajevo, Zetra Ice Hall (now known as Olympic Hall Juan Antonio Samaranch) was rebuilt in 1997 and reopened in 1999. The Jahorina area where women's alpine skiing took place was the only venue unaffected by the war. There was hope that Sarajevo would bid for the 2010 Winter Olympics
2010 Winter Olympics
The 2010 Winter Olympics, officially the XXI Olympic Winter Games or the 21st Winter Olympics, were a major international multi-sport event held from February 12–28, 2010, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with some events held in the suburbs of Richmond, West Vancouver and the University...
in a sign they had recovered, but the city did make the finalist list for those games.