The courageous Sarajevo citizen Almir Drnda, known as Half, has become an inspiration to skiers on the Olympic beauty Bjelasnica after mastering skiing on one leg as an amputee.
The well-known Sarajevo restaurateur lost his leg in a severe car accident at the age of eight. Despite the loss, he maintained a positive outlook on life, which ultimately led him to skiing.
“An incredible feeling”
“I hope to encourage more amputees to ski because there are many of us – our country emerged from war. It’s not hard; it can be done,” said the 47-year-old.
Drnda explained that it all started at the urging of a local instructor, and he received support from everyone present on the mountain that day.
His determination is best illustrated by the fact that he received his skis in the evening and, just half an hour later, by 9:30 p.m., he was on the slopes of Bjelasnica.
“I quickly organized everything to get on the skis and start skiing. I was as excited as a little kid. I watched children and people skiing and really wanted to ski. The first feeling was incredible,” said Drnda.
The real challenge came the next day, with a four-hour descent down the children’s slope alongside the instructor. Fall after fall shook his motivation, and he was on the verge of giving up.
“We went down, it was already dark, and the slopes were closed. We entered Benetton (a restaurant at the foot of the slope), and in my head, I was thinking of quitting. I thought, I made it down, and that’s it – this isn’t for me,” said Drnda.
Became part of the mountain
At that moment, he received support from the guests present, who congratulated him on his determination and effort, encouraging him to continue.
“If I had given up, I would have let down the kids, the mountain, myself, and everyone else. I would have regretted it. Now, I’m enjoying myself, and that’s it. I truly enjoy it. This has become an addiction. It fulfills me; I’m part of the mountain, and I enjoy it to the fullest. The people are amazing, the mountain is amazing, the slope… Everything is amazing. There’s no comparison to this feeling of happiness,” Drnda emphasized.
He noted that there has been a surprisingly large response and many comments about his skiing and the video published on the social media pages of the Bjelasnica and Igman Olympic Center.
“A guy came up to me and said I was his inspiration. He started skiing. A few nights ago, he approached me, and that made me happy. I hope more amputees will come. I’m here; I’ll help them. It can be done. Nothing is hard; there’s no burden – it can be done,” Drnda concluded.
