Today, despite its crumbling condition, the concrete trough still attracts young Bosnian athletes chasing Olympic dreams.
The documentary project came about organically, Canadian directorRyan Sidhooexplained during a Q&A following the premiere.
I was like, wow, I like this place.
The graffiti-covered concrete track of the Sarajevo luge-bobsleigh run on Mount Trebevic in Bosnia-HerzegovinaChristian Charisius/picture alliance via Getty Images
So, I just kept going back.
On one visit to Sarajevo, he took a hike along the old luge run.
They were prepping it, and they were telling me to get off the track, he recalled.
‘The Track.’ CoachSenad Omanovićis at right, in red polo shirt.True/False
I was confused over why people are telling me to get off.
[I] just kind of nurtured the relationship with the coach [Senad].
And eight years later, were here.
Very emotional seeing everything thats happened, how we developed during our growing up.
The track isnt operational in winter.
In summer, lugers can go down it on wheeled sleds, but thats easier said than done.
Its going to help me focus more on my trainings on the track itself, on the sleds.
I wouldnt have to work this summer, basically.
I would be all into luge and then eventually get on my second Olympics, qualify for it.
That spontaneous meme provides a lighthearted moment in the documentary.
When you make a film, you want it to have a larger message, Sidhoo commented.
I think the post-war history of Bosnia is still its overlooked but incredibly relevant.
At the Q&A, Nikolajev praised director Ryan Sidhoo.
Referring to the filming process, he said Sidhoo made it feel like he wasnt even there recording it.
Im very glad that he did that, so now we can cherish the memory.
We can have it always, I can show it to my friends and my future kids, potentially.
Its such a great thing to have.
