1984 to 1998 upright|thumb|right|alt=Alberto Tomba in hat and ski clothes|Alberto Tomba, winner of five Olympic medals in Calgary, Albertville and Lillehammer Sapporo, Japan, and Gothenburg, Sweden, were front-runners to host the 1984 Winter Olympics. It was therefore a surprise when Sarajevo, Yugoslavia, was selected as host. The Games were well-organised and not affected by the run-up to the war that engulfed the country eight years later. A total of 49 nations and 1,272 athletes participated in 39 events. Host nation Yugoslavia won its first Olympic medal when alpine skier Jure Franko won silver in the giant slalom. Another sporting highlight was the free dance performance of British ice dancers Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean; their Boléro routine received unanimous perfect scores for artistic impression, earning them the gold medal.
1984 to 1998 upright|thumb|right|alt=alberto tomba in hat and ski clothes|alberto tomba winner of five olympic medals in calgary albertville and lillehammer sapporo japan and gothenburg sweden were front-runners to host the 1984 winter olympics it was therefore a surprise when sarajevo yugoslavia was selected as host the games were well-organised and not affected by the run-up to the war that engulfed the country eight years later a total of 49 nations and 1272 athletes participated in 39 events host nation yugoslavia won its first olympic medal when alpine skier jure franko won silver in the giant slalom another sporting highlight was the free dance performance of british ice dancers jayne torvill and christopher dean; their boléro routine received unanimous perfect scores for artistic impression earning them the gold medal