History
Fast Facts
Host City: Sarajevo, YugoslaviaOpening date: Feb. 7, 1984
Closing date: Feb. 19, 1984
Nations: 49
Athletes: 1,274 (1,000 Men, 274 Women)
39 events in 8 sports
Many people heard of Sarajevo for the first time when the city was awarded the 1984 Winter Olympics. Some remembered it as the site of the 1914 assassination that triggered World War I. Less than a decade later, the world was to hear of Sarajevo again, as a city under siege and bombardment in the aftermath of Yugoslavia's breakup.
But in 1984 Sarajevo was seen on television as a gay, friendly city, eager to impress the world with its charm and hospitality. Despite heavy snowstorms that delayed Alpine skiing, the games were hailed as a great success.
To increase participation, the International Olympic Committee offered to pay the expenses of one male and one female athlete from each country taking part. As a result, the number of nations competing increased from 37 to 49. Among the nations taking part in the Winter Olympics for the first time were Egypt, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Senegal.
Some top Alpine skiers were missing, though, including two double gold medal winners from 1980, Ingemark Stenmark of Sweden and Hanni Wenzel of Liechtenstein. The IOC took another long, hard look at the sport and decided that a number of its athletes were making too much money to be accepted as amateurs, so they were banned.
That helped United States skiers to make a major breakthrough in Alpine events, winning three gold medals: Phil Mahre in the men's slalom, Bill Johnson in the men's downhill, and Debbie Armstrong in the women's giant slalom. Phil's twin brother, Steve, finished second to him in the slalom and Christin Cooper finished behind Armstrong to give the U. S. a one-two finish in that event, as well.
Scott Hamilton became the first American to win the men's figure skating title since 1960. However, the U. S. hockey team failed to qualify for the medal round.
Jure Franko of the host country finished second in the men's giant slalom, giving Yugoslavia its first-ever Winter Olympics medal. Finnish cross-country skier Marja-Liisa Hämäläinen was the only athlete to win three gold medals. She won four medals overall along with another cross-country skier, Gunde Svan of Sweden, and speed skater Karin Enke of East Germany.
Performing to Ravel's "Bolero," Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean became the first skaters ever to win perfect 6.0 scores in ice dancing.
