Sarajevo seeks Olympics, rejuvenation
Posted: Wednesday February 17, 1999 01:37 PM
The symbolism is stunningly pure. From the ashes,
rose the great Egyptian bird Phoenix after having
consumed itself by fire 500 years before.
And in the centuries since, it has become the poster
child for everything resurrected and rejuvenated. Fom
a flower in the concrete to a city burned by civil war.
But perhaps never before has the Phoenix been called
upon more ardently, to beat it's huge wings and
struggle to rise more dramatically, than now.
For Sarajevo wants to host another Winter Olympics.
Sarajevo.
To imagine that this bullet-riddled, bomb-scarred European
shell would even have an Olympic committee is astonishing
in itself. But that the BOC -- it's the Bosnian Olympic Committee
now -- would have the far-reaching, starry-eyed audacity
to want to host another Games is nearly
incomprehensible.
When the games were played there in 1984, it was a
majestic winter wonderland. Not a decade later, the
very arena which held the opening and closing
ceremonies was barely standing. Snipers used it's
remaining pillars as hiding places as war ravaged the
nation.
And now, perhaps with the intention only of telling it's
citizens there is a future and it could be very bright,
perhaps not wanting the games at all but simply
wanting to make a statement, comes the call.
There are two immediate automatics as they begin the
process. There would surely be not a hint of bribery, for
this is hardly a nation with ready cash to offer.
And there would be no question as to their mascot -- a mighty Phoenix.
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