Olympic Sites

The 1984 Olympics brought world attention to Sarajevo as an international venue. The world remembers this beautiful city for its charm and history. The people were proud and united in their cultural diversity.

Sarajevo again is receiving international attention, having withstood an urban siege longer than any other in history. Unfortunately, "urbacide" has had its effect on the Olympic sites as it has on every other aspect of the city.

Heavy shelling has lain open structures that were pristine and newly-built hardly a decade ago. What had been a Balkan showplace is now studded with hulking ruins, a former killing ground for three years raked periodically by fire from weapons of all calibers. Interiors have been ruined by exposure to the extremes of weather. Damaged sheer walls and beams have rendered much of what remains standing dangerous to human use; a large portion of it will have to be razed.

As in many other sectors of the city, much available open ground has been pressed into service as grave sites. It can only be assumed that the majority of these graves will remain unmoved after hostilities cease. Thus, for planning purposes we must earmark these areas as green belt sites.

The ski slopes that funnel down the surrounding slopes to the Olympic campus will be reclaimed for recreational purposes after peace takes root and reconstruction commences. Other recreational facilities, such as skating rinks, bobsled runs and cross country trails, should be salvageable.

Reconstruction of outdoor winter sports venues might well represent the most important investment Bosnia can make in her future, given the potential hard currency revenues tourism can generate.