War-scarred Sarajevo celebrates 40th anniversary of 1984 Winter Olympics and looks to the future

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy War-scarred Sarajevo is looking back to happier times from February 1984 as it celebrates the 40th anniversary of staging a successful Winter Olympics. Ahmet Karabegovic, who served as secretary general of the 1984 Winter Olympics, said the sporting legacy aided the city's post-war recovery, with the world both familiar with Sarajevo and shocked by what had happened. From the windows of her flat, Hanic can see the Olympic rings and the logo of the 1984 Winter Games on a tower near Zetra, and that makes her “contemplate the day when we’ll reach the first round of Olympic qualifiers.” Bosnian and international athletes and officials gathered this week in Sarajevo to mark the city's 40th Olympic anniversary, and IOC president Thomas Bach offered words of encouragement by video. The Sarajevo Winter Olympics “stood out because at the height of the Cold War, they brought together the best winter sport athletes from political rivals and sworn enemies in a peaceful competition.” Because of "our joint efforts,” Bach added, “when the guns fell silent you rebuilt your Olympic heritage.