Torvill and Dean, the British ice-skating duo who helped revolutionise their sport when they won Olympic gold in Sarajevo 40 years ago, have relived their iconic Bolero performance – perhaps for the last time.

Torvill, 66, and Dean, 65, skated together at an event celebrating the legacy of the 1984 Olympics. The anniversary is “such a special occasion,” Torvill said. The pair called on spectators to wear purple, the colour of the costumes they wore in 1984.

Shortly before their appearance in Sarajevo, Torvill and Dean said that they will retire from performing together next year in shows after a final tour in the UK and possibly Australia.

“Sarajevo has been so much part of our life," Dean said.

"Who would have thought 40 years ago we will be back here … with such wonderful memories and the spirit of the Olympics and the warmth of all the people."

Dressed in black outfits and assisted by Sarajevo young skaters, the pair performed a shortened version of the routine that cemented their status as legends of the sport and household names in Britain at the Skenderija Olympic Hall, which hosted ice hockey in 1984.

Skating to Ravel's Bolero, Torvill and Dean won the gold medal in 1984 with a romantic and expressive routine which ended with them lying down on the ice in a dramatic finishing pose.

The British pair had broken new ground in ice dance by moving away from the sport's origins in ballroom dancing and the ballet-influenced style of the then-dominant Soviet Union.

They won with a record-breaking 12 perfect 6.0 scores from the judges, including perfect scores across the board from all nine judges in artistic impression.

Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean perform their "Bolero" ice dancing routine at the Winter Olympics in Sarajevo. – AP

“Since that time we have skated so many times around the world performing 'Bolero' and everybody comes up to us and say ‘I remember where I was when I watched Bolero when you were performing in Sarajevo,’ so we're always going to be linked with our skating in Sarajevo.”

They were the first pair not from the Soviet Union to win Olympic gold in ice dance. After a break from competitive ice dancing – then a strictly amateur sport – to pursue professional skating careers, Torvill and Dean also won bronze at the 1994 Olympics in Lillehammer.

“This all brings me back to 40 years ago when I was 12 and watched Torvill and Dean on television,” said Irina Smirnov, mother of 10-year-old Atina who took part in the performance.

“There are not many skating events as this in Sarajevo and this raises hope for a better future,” Smirnov added.

Bosnia was part of Yugoslavia in 1984, the Berlin Wall was still up, and the Iron Curtain divided Europe.

But the games are seen by Sarajevans as one of the happiest moments in the city’s history.

Hopes that it would become a recognised winter sports venue vanished during war in the 1990s. Thousands of Bosnians were killed during a 43-month siege of the city, and the Olympic facilities were destroyed.

Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean during practice with Bosnian children, for a performance marking the 40th anniversary of their gold medal win. – Reuters