BOSNIA: SARAJEVO A CANDIDATE FOR WINTER OLYMPICS

(9 Feb 2001) Bosnian/Serbo-Croat/Nat
XFA
On the 17th anniversary of the 1984 Sarajevo Winter Olympics, the Bosnian Olympic Committee and Sarajevo City council announced on Thursday that the Bosnian capital will once again be a candidate for the Winter Olympics.
At an official ceremony at Olympic hall 'Zetra', Sarajevo mayor Muhidin Hamamdzic said that city of Sarajevo is going to prepare necessary documentation to apply for the Winter Olympics of 2010.
After four years of war, most of the Olympic facilities in Sarajevo are completely destroyed, and Bosnia will need millions of dollars to reconstruct the objects needed for such a large sporting event.
Mount Jahorina, is the only ski resort that works in full capacity in Bosnia after the war.
Among the many foreign diplomats present at the ceremony, was the U-S ambassador to Bosnia, who was very pleased about the prospect.
In addition to the diplomats, local skiers and tourists were equally pleased, claiming that Sarajevo was a great candidate for the 2010 Olympic Games.
SOUNDBITE: (Bosnian)
"In 1984 Sarajevo showed that it can organize the best Olympic games in the world until that time. Sarajevo in 2010 can do it again - without any doubt...organize very successful Olympic games."
SUPER CAPTION: Bogic Bogicevic, Chairman of Bosnian Olympic Committee and one of
the organizers of 1984 Olympics
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I think that we'll get support from the whole international community, especially sports associations."
SUPER CAPTION: Jadranko Prlic, Bosnian foreign minister
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"When you are gone through a devastating war, this is about the spirit of the human condition. It is about the spirit of people who come back from such devastation. I'll do everything to support this idea.This is a great idea and this is what all people of Bosnia should put their efforts behind."
SUPER CAPTION: Thomas Miller, US ambassador to Bosnia
SOUNDBITE: (English)
" I'm happy for Sarajevo. The ski slopes here are beautiful. Sarajevo should organize the Winter Olympics again. This is great",
Mirjana Granzov, Yugoslav champion in giant slalom
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