SARAJEVO 1984

The amazing evolution of the olympic torches design

Torce ok

NATIONS: 49

EVENTS: 39

ATHLETES: 1272 (274 W - 998 M)

TORCHBEARERS: 1.600

KM: 5.289 (Yugoslavia)

LAST TORCHBEARER: Sandra Dubravčič, figure skating in the Olympic Games 1980 and 1984

The drawing imprinted on the torch symbolizes a snowflake above which there are the five Olympic rings. At the same time, this snowflake, represents also the national symbol of Sarajevo. Produced by the Japanese factory Mizuno Corporation it is made of silver and weighs 780 gr. It is one of the very few torches where the organizing committee did not want to exalt the design. The torch relay has been divided into two routes, one which started East, 2.602km long, and one which started north, 2.687 km long, in order for them to cross path on February 8th in Sarajevo for the Opening Ceremony. The ice skater Sandra Dubravčić was the last of 1.600 torchbearers and had the honor of lighting the Olympic Flame under the presidency of the CIO of Juan Antonio Samoranch. Revenues gained from broadcast fees raised went from $20.726.000 to a figure of $102.682.000. Television had a dominant role, becoming protagonist of the Olympic Games. Marja-Liisa Kirvesmiemi-Hämäläinen from Finland became the only woman to have competed in six editions of the Olympic Winter Games. She dominated all three women’s cross country skiing events, winning by at least 10 seconds each time. She also won a bronze medal in the 4 x 7.5km relay.