Embracing Life's Transformations on the Sarajevo Bobsleigh Track (en)

Beneath the August sun of 2023, as my steps aligned with the weathered path of the Sarajevo Bobsleigh Track, I couldn't help but reflect on the countless athletes who had once graced this track, pouring their heart and soul into the pursuit of Olympic glory. The echoes of their determination lingered in the air, reminding me of the fierce battles fought for those coveted golden medals.

Yet, my thoughts also turned to the darker times when this very track transformed into a battleground - a poignant reminder of the fragility of peace. Soldiers, stood where athletes once raced. The track bore witness to their struggles, a place where some even gave their lives.

And now, here I stand, observing how nature is slowly reclaiming the area. Plants and trees surged forth, seeking to reclaim what was once hewn by human hands. This scene is the canvas of life's ever-evolving cycle, a symphony of change and boundless progression.

Within this space of contemplation, the bobsleigh track becomes more than a track, it embodies mindfulness. An emblem of metamorphosis and acceptance. It whispers the eternal truth: each moment is fleeting, a passing chapter in the book of existence. Walking this path was a journey through time, through emotions, and through the profound wisdom that arises from accepting the fluidity of life.

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* When Sarajevo was awarded the 1984 Winter Olympics in 1977, a bobsleigh and luge track was proposed. At the 1984 Games, there were 20,000 luge spectators and 30,000 bobsleigh spectators. The track was damaged as a result of the Siege of Sarajevo; during the siege, the track was used as an artillery position by Bosnian Serb forces. The track still remains mostly intact (as of June 2023), with the war wounds of defensive fighting holes drilled into one of the last turns of the course. (Source: Wikipedia)