Bringing the Olympics, Winter or Summer, to a city, creates a huge economic boom, but as we’ve seen in the past, the money spent on facilities doesn’t always make them ever lasting or even active years later, as the example of Sarajevo, the host of the 1984 Winter Olympics, clearly demonstrates.
Sarajevo might have an “excuse,” if one might call it that: The Bosnian War from 1992 to 1995, which included the longest siege of a city in the history of modern warfare during its fight for independence.
And still, with Sarajevo still rebuilding and quickly growing into what might be a very popular touristic destination in the next few years, it’s hard to ignore what’s left of places like Ski Jump mountain, the bobsled track which is like an empty canal with vegetation and graffiti these days, or the fading drawings and symbols still viewed everywhere in the city 30 years later.
Figure Skating Venue
What used to be the figure skating arena is now covered with a fading painting of the the official mascot of the 1984 Winter Olympics.
Bobsled Track
The disused bobsled track on Mount Trebevic.
Abandoned Ski Jump
The ski jump site on Mount Igman isn’t used by anyone these days.
Medal Podium
A medal podium stands slightly broken and obviously unused.
Where the Judges Used to Sit
This is what’s left of the judges’ room at the ski jump site.
Olympic Village Hotel
This is what’s left of a hotel at the Olympic Village.