Jure Franko – The Man Who Made ’84 Olympic History
Jure Franko is a name forever etched in the history of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s sports. Born in 1962 in Nova Gorica, Slovenia (then part of Yugoslavia), he became a legendary alpine skier and a symbol of the Sarajevo 1984 Winter Olympics.
At these Games, Franko won a silver medal in the giant slalom, making him the first Yugoslav athlete to ever win a Winter Olympic medal. His achievement was celebrated throughout the region, and he became a fan favorite, especially among the people of Sarajevo, who proudly hosted the Games. The famous slogan “Volimo Jureka više od bureka” (“We love Jure more than burek”) remains a testament to the love and admiration he received.
Today, visitors to Sarajevo can relive the Olympic spirit at the Olympic Museum, which showcases memorabilia, photos, and stories from the 1984 Games, including Jure Franko’s historic success. The museum, located in a beautifully restored Austro-Hungarian villa, is a must-visit for sports and history enthusiasts.
For those exploring Bosnia and Herzegovina, the legacy of the 1984 Winter Olympics lives on in venues like Bjelašnica, Jahorina, and Trebević, where winter sports lovers can experience the same slopes that once hosted Olympic champions.
