“We are very pleased to be back in Sarajevo, it is a city that holds a special place in our hearts,” said the famous figure skaters Sanda Dubravcic-Simunjak and Katarina Witt in a special interview dedicated to the 40th anniversary of the Winter Olympic Games in Sarajevo.
“Sarajevo is a unique city, a city that lived for the Olympic Games, a city where humane, warm Games were held in which everyone participated, from the youngest to the oldest, and contributed to making those Games so beautiful. It was something special,” said Sanda Dubravcic-Simunjak, the best Yugoslav and Croatian figure skater, who officially lit the Olympic flame at the Kosevo Stadium on February 8th, 1984, marking the opening of the 14th Winter Olympic Games in Sarajevo.
She recalled the moment when she found out that she would be the one lighting the Olympic flame.
“It all started at the Golden Spin of Zagreb, where I won five gold medals, two silver medals, and one bronze medal. At that pirouette, I defeated the reigning world champion, and I was the first woman in this region, the first Yugoslav woman to win a medal in winter sports. Then, in December 1983, I was told – you will be the one to light the flame,” emphasized Dubravcic-Simunjak.
An emotional encounter
During Dubravcic-Simunjak’s appearance, an unusual situation occurred. Namely, the German figure skater Katarina Witt expressed a desire to enter the studio and, although it wasn’t planned, to meet Sanda. The encounter was warm, and full of emotions.
“I’m glad to see Sanda, she was tough competition. I always looked forward to returning to Sarajevo, which holds a special place in my heart. I constantly receive messages from the citizens of Sarajevo that I am not forgotten, and I fondly remember the wonderful time spent here,” said Witt, who won a gold medal in figure skating at the Winter Olympics in Sarajevo.
Those Olympic Games, Witt said, were a “boost” and launched her international career.
“Before that, I competed in national competitions. The Olympic Games are something that changes your life, that was my first Olympic medal. The Winter Olympic Games are watched by the whole world, and for me, that was the starting point for the world to begin recognizing me.”
Sanda Dubravcic-Simunjak and Katarina Witt came to the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Winter Olympics. It was the largest sports event ever held in Yugoslavia.
Furthermore, Sanda Dubravcic-Simunjak was the last torchbearer at the ceremony at the Kosevo Stadium on February 8th, 1984, where the opening ceremony of the Games was held. She previously competed internationally for the former SFRY. Today, she is a successful doctor and a member of the Medical Commission of the International Skating Organization for Croatia, BHRT writes.
Photo: Edis Deljkovic/BHRT
