Malo Polje

Situated in a natural amphitheatre on Mount Igman, Malo Polje served as the dramatic stage for the 1984 Winter Olympics’ ski jumping events. Designed to shelter competitors from the wind while accommodating massive crowds, the venue hosted the 70-metre and 90-metre ski jumping competitions, as well as the jumping portion of the Nordic Combined.

Fast facts

  • Location: Mount Igman, approximately 15–24 km from Sarajevo (depending on the route).
  • Olympic Role: Venue for Ski Jumping (70m and 90m) and Nordic Combined (jumping).
  • Key Dates: 12 February (70m jump, Nordic Combined jump); 18 February (90m jump).
  • Capacity: Designed for 25,000 spectators on platforms; slopes accommodated up to 80,000 during the Games.
  • Architects: Janez and Vlado Gorišek.
  • Notable Feature: The 70m hill was equipped with plastic matting for year-round training.
  • Status Today: The ski jumps are currently in ruins; the area is used for recreational skiing and hiking.

The Venue: A Natural Amphitheatre

Malo Polje (Small Field) is located on the Igman plateau, southwest of Sarajevo. The venue was constructed within a "beautifully shaped mountain meander," a natural depression in the coniferous landscape chosen specifically to protect the ski jumpers from the wind.

The site functioned as the centre for the Games' ski jumping competitions. It was physically connected to the cross-country trails at the nearby Veliko Polje (Great Field) and the alpine runs on Bjelašnica by modern communication lines and roads, creating a compact "sports-competition whole" on the mountain. To ensure its long-term viability as a training centre, the smaller 70-metre hill was covered with a special plastic mass, allowing for training jumps throughout the year, regardless of snow conditions.

February 1984: Records and Crowds

During the Games, Malo Polje became the site of intense competition and record-breaking attendance. The venue hosted the world's elite "ski eagles," including Matti Nykänen (Finland) and Jens Weißflog (GDR), who engaged in a fierce battle for supremacy. On 12 February, Weißflog secured the gold on the 70-metre hill, while Nykänen took silver.

The rivalry culminated on 18 February during the 90-metre event. On a clear, sunny day, a massive crowd of approximately 80,000 spectators gathered in the natural amphitheatre—a record attendance for the 1984 Games up to that point. Observers described the atmosphere as "magnificent," with the audience filling the platforms and the surrounding mild slopes.

In the final showdown, Nykänen dominated the field. After jumping 116 metres in the first series, he secured the gold medal with a second jump of 111 metres, decisively beating Weißflog, who took silver. The event also saw a strong showing from local competitors, with Yugoslav jumper Tomaž Dolar finishing in 11th place.

Technical Snapshot (1984 Setup)

The complex at Malo Polje was designed by the renowned Slovenian brothers Janez and Vlado Gorišek, who were also responsible for the famous ski flying hill in Planica. The facility featured two primary jumps:

  • 70-metre hill: Used for the "normal hill" individual competition and the Nordic Combined jumping event.
  • 90-metre hill: Used for the "large hill" competition.

The jumps were oriented parallel to one another, sharing a common oval landing slope and out-run area. A spacious judges' tower housed competition management, the International Ski Federation (FIS) delegates, and an electronic equipment centre for length measurement. Next to the landing area, a large building provided platforms for official guests and two floors for radio and television commentators.

The base of the facility included a press centre operated by the Ljubljana newspaper Delo, equipped with 50 desks, teleprinters, and phone booths. The spectator areas were extensive: while the constructed platforms held 25,000 people, the natural configuration of the surrounding hills allowed the venue to absorb more than double that number during peak events.

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Then and Now: Destruction and Survival

Following the 1984 Games, Malo Polje remained an active training ground, with the 70-metre hill’s plastic matting allowing athletes to jump year-round. However, the outbreak of the Bosnian War (1992–1995) transformed the Olympic venue into a frontline battleground.

The facilities suffered heavy damage during the conflict. By the war's end in 1995, the once-pristine ski jumps were left in ruins. The judges' tower, which had hosted international officials and the electronic timing centre in 1984, was repurposed during the later stages of the war; UNPROFOR peacekeepers used the structure as a base, leaving a layer of history that is still visible today.

Status Today

Decades later, the concrete skeletons of the 70-metre and 90-metre ramps still stand on the mountainside, though they are no longer usable for competition. The judges' tower remains a striking landmark, bearing the faded "UN" letters painted on its facade—a lasting visual reminder of the site's wartime role.

Despite the loss of the professional jumps, Malo Polje has found a second life as a popular recreational destination. The natural amphitheatre now serves as a spot for family picnics and casual winter sports. A two-seat cable car and children’s ski lifts are currently functional, servicing slopes used for recreational downhill skiing and sledding.

While proposals to rehabilitate the site have been discussed—including a 2016 plan supported by the original architect Janez Gorišek to build a small training hill for youth—no major reconstruction of the Olympic jumps has yet materialised.

How to Visit

Malo Polje is located on Mount Igman, approximately 15 km southwest of Sarajevo. It functions today as a recreational ski centre.

  • Coordinates: 43°46'05.5"N, 18°14'47.0"E
  • Activities: Sightseeing (Olympic ruins), recreational skiing, and sledding (winter).