Winter Olympiad (1984)

1984 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XIV Olympic Winter Games, celebrated in Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was at the time part of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. It was the first Winter Games and the second Olympics held in a socialist country (the first was the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow). The people of Sarajevo gained high marks for their hospitality, and there was no indication of the tragic war that would engulf the city only a few years later. Skier Jure Franko brought joy to the host nation by earning Yugoslavia’s first Winter Olympics medal: silver in the giant slalom. Marja-Liisa Hämäläinen won all three individual cross-country races for women. In speed skating, Gaétan Boucher and Karin Enke each won two gold medals. Biathlete Eirik Kvalfoss earned a complete set of medals. Twin brothers Phil and Steve Mahre took first and second place in the slalom. The highlight of the figure skating competitions was the free dance performance of Jane Torvill and Christopher Dean.

Opening date
08 February 1984

Closing date
19 February 1984

Ceremonies

Official opening of the Games by: President Mika Spiljak

Lighting the Olympic Flame by: Sandra Dubravcic (figure skating)

Olympic Oath by: Bojan Krizaj (Alpine skiing)

Official Oath by: Dragan Perovic (Alpine skiing)

Participation

49 NOCs (Nations)
1,272 athletes (274 women, 998 men)
39 events
10,450 volunteers
7,393 media (2,363 written press, 5,030 broadcasters)

Country of the host city:  Yugoslavia (YUG)

Candidate cities:  Sapporo (JPN) and Falun/Goteborg (SWE)

Sports

• Biathlon                           
• Bobsleigh
• Ice Hockey                       
• Skiing
• Luge                                 
• Skating

Venues

City venues

• Asim Ferhatović Stadion - opening ceremonies
• Zetra Ice Hall - figure skating, ice hockey, closing ceremonies
• Zetra Ice Rink - speed skating
• Skenderija II Hall - ice hockey

Mountain venues

• Mount Bjelašnica - men's alpine skiing
• Mount Jahorina - women's alpine skiing
• Igman, Veliko Polje - cross-country skiing, Nordic combined, biathlon
• Igman, Malo Polje -  Trebević - bobsleigh, luge

Other facilities

• Olympic Village, Mojmilo
• Press Village, Dobrinja
• Hotels: Igman (Igman), Famos (Bjelašnica), Smuk (Bjelašnica), Bistrica (Jahorina)

Highlights

• Skier Jure Franko won Yugoslavia's first Winter Olympic medal; silver in the giant slalom.

• Bill Johnson became the first American to win an Olympic downhill event.

• Lamine Guèye of Senegal was the first Black African skier to compete in the Winter Olympics.

Facts

• The first Winter Games held in a Socialist country also the First Games under the presidency of Juan Antonio Samaranch.

• One event is added to women's Nordic skiing - the 20km race, which give women four races.

• For the first time, Disabled skiing was introduced as a demonstration sport.