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Asiada-2011 in the press
 
03.02.2011 22:30
 
03.02.2011
The asian games say no to the dope
More than a hundred persons are involved in the work of doping control service at the Asian Games. Their goal is to take the doping tests and to send them to the laboratory. In seems, that is it a simple procedure, however, sometimes it takes from four to six hours.

We work under the standards of the WADA (the World Anti-Doping Agency), - says in her interview to the “Asian Games Herald” newspaper, the leading expert of the Department of medical maintenance and service of doping control Maira Bakasheva. – Our officers of doping control were trained by the WADA professionals from England and Finland and have received the international certificates.
- 32 doping control inspectors with 81 accompanying persons are working on 9 sport arenas of the Asian Games, - tells Majra Bakasheva. – The officers of doping control, usually, are also medical workers or biologists who know well the English language.
- The officers of doping control are the local experts?
- Yes. Seven of our officers have the international working experience at the Asian games, the championships of continent and other big competitions. Also we invited eight international inspectors – from China, Korea, Oman and Uzbekistan to work at the Asian Games. Our service is supervised by the OCA. The official OCA commission is working at the Asian Games – six experts in Astana and seven in Almaty.
- How many sportsmen have already passed the doping control on the Asian Games?
- This is a confidental information.
- When the results of the doping tests taken during the Asian Games will be announced?
- The results of tests will be sent to the Olympic Council of Asia who is the supervisor of the Asian Games. The OCA will announce the positive results of analyses in case of their existence. The experts of the anti-doping laboratory will not know whose tests they are checking.

29.01.2011
7th Winter Asiad to revive sports in Kazakhstan
It was noted that 37 athletes from Almaty will defend Kazakhstan’s honor in the upcoming Winter Asian Games. They will compete in six sports: alpine skiing, speed-skating, ski jumping, figure skating, ski orienteering and women’s ice-hockey. ‘’It is worth noting that 21 athletes from Almaty are in Kazakhstan’s women’s ice-hockey national team, ‘’Madyshev stressed.

Akimat’s representative is certain that all sports venue infrastructure erected for the Games will contribute immensely into the development of popular sports in the city. Thus, the unique ski jump complex will breeze new life into this sport. According to Madyshev, the second stage of this venue construction allows for the ski jump complex additional facilities to come into operation, such as three martial arts gyms, 25-meter long swimming pool and ski jumps for practicing - K-30, K-50, K-60. ‘’By the way, the oldest in the city Children’s and Youth Sports School #7 already moved to the new facilities located under the venue’s bleachers. In the near future, CYSS of Winter Sports # 18 as well as the Sports School of Olympic Reserve will move to the same building. Right after the Winter Asian Games, these schools will announce enrollment,’’ Madyshev said.

He reminded that all experts consider the new venue unique and complying with all international standards. ‘’It is important that members of Kazakhstan’s national ski jumping team will train here. Young athletes will see the older and more experienced ones. It helps us prepare future champions. Moreover, we are planning to hold major International Championships at this venue which will increase this sport’s popularity not only in Almaty but in the whole country, ‘’ the akimat’s representative noted.

Almaty has always been known as a center of the country’s figure skating development, this sport has underwent a period of stagnation since there was lack of ice. However, it was still quite popular. ‘’Luxor’’ skating rink opening was such a blessing for young figure skaters. Madyshev thinks that this sport is fetching its second wind. “Baluan Sholack Sports Palace is another skating rink, which will soon come into operation and young figure skaters will start practicing there. Right after the Winter Asian Games, sports clubs will open that will accept everybody who is into figure skating, ‘’ he stressed.

According to the expert, biathlon and ski complex opening will also give impetus to these sports’ development. After the Games, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Sport and Tourism will assume the management of the venue. ‘’The venue will become a major preparation center for all athletes coming from Almaty and all country’s regions to begin their career,’’ Madyshev thinks. He also stressed that opportunities for skating, skiing and short-tack development also emerged in the city. ‘’In 2005, winter sports boarding school for children gifted in sports opened in Almaty. It has faculties in three sports. In the period two-three years, we will see the first results of our youth teams’ athletes,’’ he expresses his certainty.

Madyshev says that students from Almaty Children’s and Youth Sports Schools will attend sports events on the regular basis. They will be able to see and feel the spirit of competition. It will also be an experience for them’’, the expert emphasized.

Kazinform, Aygul Tarysbekova.

29.01.2011
Unity of Purpose – Unity of Spirit! Ice Hockey Kicks Off the Games
Tomorrow, Kazakhstan’s capital city of Astana will host the Opening Ceremony for the 7th Winter Asian Games. Our country has been preparing for the Games for the past five years, starting with an ambitious goal, which by means of hard work and tireless effort, became reality. New superior-quality sports facilities, recognized abroad as ones of the world’s best, rose in Astana and Almaty. Even long before the Games, representatives of many international sports federations proposed to their colleagues from Kazakhstan to hold such large-scale competitions as World Cups and Championships at these venues.

Our sports venues are truly one-of-a-kind. For example, every square meter of ice at the Medeo Skating Rink in the mountains of Almaty is temperature-tested; “smart” technology helps to maintain the temperature at the required level. Until recently, this was only a dream. Another example is Almaty’s magnificent Ski Jump Complex, which awed its visitors with cutting-edge equipment and its high-altitude location within the city limits –a truly unique feature for a city of this size. In Astana, the Astana Arena Stadium and Cycle Track impressed foreign technical experts.

All sports venues of the Games were completed on time. Kazakhstan’s President Nursultan Nazarbaev and Prime Minister Karim Maksimov, as well as Akims of Astana and Almaty, Imangali Tasmagabetov and Akhetzhan Yesimov, maintained constant control over the deadlines and quality of work in building new facilities and reconstructing the existing sports palaces and stadiums. We had many occasions to cover their tours of the venues. Needless to say that experts and professionals from many countries, such as France, Germany, Netherlands, Slovenia, Switzerland and Turkey, assisted in preparing the venues for the Games. Russian coaches took part in training our athletes. Today, any large-scale sporting event is a product of international efforts, a result of global cooperation. Hence, the motto of the 7th Winter Asian Games: “Unity of Purpose – Unity of Spirit!”

As it is true with every grand enterprise, many obstacles had to be overcome in preparation of the venues. Yet, athletes and guests arriving at the Asian Games will not encounter the smell of fresh paint or little imperfections; all venues will be ready to welcome them properly. This attention to detail became apparent last Thursday, three days before the opening of the Games, at an awards ceremony for the local torchbearers in Almaty. Deputy Akim of Almaty Serik Seydumanov, who was awarding certificates to his fellow Almaty residents, talked about the daily meetings of the Almaty Directorate for 7th Winter Asian Games Organizing Committee. The meetings’ discussions frequently turned to such minute details as the exact location of the podium at a venue, timely provision of winter uniforms, delivery of adequate supply of stationary and even scotch tape!

Perhaps, this is exactly what constitutes the highest level of preparedness. The Winter Games’ participants began to converge onto the cities early in order to spend more time training at the ski courses and skating rinks, to acclimate to the new conditions and the time zone. High-ranking officials from the Olympic Council of Asia already familiar with the “Cultural Asiad” programme from past assemblies and meetings were impressed by its actual scale. Numerous festivals, shows, exhibitions, contests, movie screenings and fairs of arts and crafts are organized to educate our guests about the rich historical and cultural heritage of Kazakhstan and to provide plenty of entertainment for athletes between their trainings and competitions.

As far as the competitions are concerned, they are already under way. The first medal contestants were the ice hockey teams. Overall, 69 sets of medals are being contested at the Games: 44 in Almaty and 25 in Astana. For the first time in the Games’ history, bandy and ski orienteering are included in the competitions. This means that the winners in these two sports will be the first medalists ever at a multi-sport event.

The Games’ first set of medals will be contested on Monday. The names of 14 champions – the largest daily number for the duration of the Games - will be announced on January 31, 2011. Two sets of medals are contested by alpine skiers, speed skaters, freestyle skiers, short-track skaters, ski orienteering and cross-country skiers; biathletes and ski jumpers will contest one set of medals in each sport.

Japanese ski jumper Kazuyushi Funaki is the most decorated participant of the 7th Winter Asian Games. Today, the 35-year old veteran “ski flier” ranks fifth in his country after Dayko Ito, Noriaki Kasai, Sehei Totimoto and Fumihis Yumoto. Yet, only recently, the name of Funaki was a household name around the world, especially in the 1990s, when he won two gold and one silver medals at the Nagano Olympic Games and became the world champion several times. None of the top four Japanese ski jumpers will be attending the competition in Almaty, but, perhaps, one Funaki is plenty to get the gold in the individual competitions on both hills. In a team competition, his fellow team members Kadzhuya Yosioka, ranked sixth, and promising athletes Yuta Vatase and Juhej Sasaki will boost the team’s chances to win.

Kazakhstan also is sending experienced athletes to the Games. So anything can happen; we just have to wait and see. Some of us will get to see the competitions live, some – on their television screens. However, missing the 7th Winter Asian Games Opening Ceremony tomorrow will be unforgivable: many spectacular surprises and even real miracles await us on that memorable evening.

Kazakhstanskaya Pravda, Yuriy Lifincev

21.01.2011
We can feel our pulse
In the beginning of 2007, Kazakhstan got approval from the Olympic Council of Asia to hold the 7th Continental Games and immediately set out on a 4 year-long ‘marathon.’The fact is thatKazakhstan is a rookie in such undertakings. We did not take part in the projects of such scale before. That`s why we were not very confident at the start. Intheracewehadtolookbackat experienced organizers, thus we had to slow down and to speed up again. Even inasmoothrun, however, there are occasional hurdles. There were a lot of them in our way. The main obstacle was that we could not decide which path to choose. Itcanbecomparedto a barbell that a strong athlete can’t lift because of psychological instability.And all this because Kazakhstan could not decide where all the events would be held – in Astana or Almaty? Then it was decided to hold them in both cities. And it looks like this was the best choice, even if it is expensive, as there is no doubt that we should show our capital to the world. Besides it won`t hurt if new sport centers are constructed in the main city in Kazakhstan. Butfewofuscouldpredictthateverything might be cancelled because of the global financial crisis. The government began to worry where the money to organize the Asian Games would come from? Oneoftheproposalswasto bow out of holding the Games in our country. PresidentNursultanNazarbayev, however, assured us that we can do it. TemirkhanDosmuhanbetov, Tourism and Sports Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan, recently shared this fact with us. Thisproblem, however, had beengossiped aboutby everyone.
Any undertaking, especially on such a scale, is naturally difficult for rookies. In the capital we had to begin venue construction from scratch. Almaty is ahead of Astana in this sense. It already had several facilities that more or less comply with international standards. Two of them are: the Medeo skating-rink, where in Soviet times skaters broke more than 120 world records, that`s why the rink was called a world record “factory,” and the Chimbulak ski resort that is situated higher up the mountains fromMedeo, and which hosted many All-Soviet Union Championships and international competitions. The adjacent locations of these venues pleased the IOC. In 2006 one IOC representative said: “Almaty has the most convenient layout of sport locations in the world. I am sureit will sooner or later host the Olympic Games”. The same was said by recent visitors, Nicolai Dolgopolov and GennadiiShvets, well-known Russian journalists. In addition they noted Kazakhstan`s favorable atmosphere. “None of the scandals shaking the rest of the world exist in your country. Your “climate” is kind and calm. We all should follow your example. When we go back home, we will tell about your sports venues and organization skills. Everyone should come and see with their own eyes…”
Such words are music to our ears. We can feel our pulse begin to beat evenly in this race. Wehaveotheradvantagesaswell. Our main trump card is that over the course of 4 years Kazakhstan is developing at a record pace. In this short period several magnificent international standard sport venues were built. We can confidently say that our country accomplished more in these 4 years than in 70 years of the Soviet regime.
…Everyone welcomes change. The construction of an international ski jump complex came at the perfect ime. It was tested by International Federation specialists and got high evaluations. Another pride is the ski-biathlon stadium in the Soldatskoye gorge in Almaty region. I am sure it will be ranked among the best sport venues in the world. Itstimewillcome. SoonitwillhosttheWhiteAsiadevents. The closer we come to the Asiad, thehappier we feel in our hearts. It is what athletes call our “second wind.” This marathon is now much easier to run. No one doubts that our victory is very close. It is obvious from the events devoted to 2011 Asian Games.

Not a day passes without Continental Games events being held in our city. This week it is the arrival of the Asiad flame from Kuwait and the torch relay that will travel all over the Republic. First it was carried through the city of Almaty. Tens of thousands of Almatinians and city guests witnessed this magnificent event. The organizers got wonderfully positive feedback.
…So we have to start our final leg of this race. On February 6th we will learn the winner`s name. And the race must be won by Kazakhstan. Get ready to wave our national flag! Support and cheer for our countrymen!
"Vecherniy Almaty". AlimAnapyanov

20.01.2011
Sergey Chaadayev: What I saw inspired confidence
IZVESTIYA, KAZAKHSTAN: Yesterday in Shymbulak the best alpine skiers of Kazakhstan tried the giant slalom course which is still only half-finished. The other part of the track is being completed almost manually every day. However, the head coach of the national alpine skiing team, Sergey Chaadayev, is confident in the excellent performance of our athletes and smoothness of the course.
– The scheduled preparation program for the WAG is 97% complete. The team is in good shape; the guys stay positive and are determined to achieve the results to the best of their ability. The team was formed two years ago. At that time, we declared that the Asian Games were the purpose and corner stone of our hard work.
– Other than determination do you have specific results achieved by the athletes?
– Let us remember the year 2009 when the Kazakhstani alpine skiers were ranked 1200th in the world ratings. Today we are among the 300 best athletes in the world. This is the result of our participation in high level competitions such as the Olympic Games, world championships and World Cup events. We will try to apply this international experience during the Asian Games.
– Are you content with the recent qualification tournament?
– Today we have had test starts which we consider good practice. It was almost half the distance of the giant slalom course with a slope similar super-giant. The distance between the gates was slightly increased. The athletes descended at speeds up to 130 km per hour, and performed fly-overs up to 47 meters. We were honing turns at high speed. I can certainly say that we have good speed and confidence for the upcoming Asian Games. I watched the athletes move and fly and what I saw inspired confidence: we will do it. Tomorrow we will do a super giant where the speed will be as close to that of a downhill with sophisticated turns.
– Meteorologists did not promise heavy snowfalls before the start of the Asian Games. How are you solving the problem of lack of snow?
– The snow cannons are operating nearly nonstop. In addition we have a huge number of volunteers and enthusiasts who are collecting snow from the nearby slopes.
– Could you tell the names of the winners of today’s runs.
– For the men the best results were achieved by Vancouver Olympic Games participant Igor Zakurdayev. Dmitry Koshkin followed Igor by four tenths of a second only. Pavel Cherchinenko came in third. All these guys are from Almaty. Kseniya Stroilova from East Kazakhstan was the winner for the women. Almaty athletes Lyudmila Fedotova and Yekaterina Cherepanova followed.
Our main rivals are the skiers from Japan and Korea. Apparently the Japanese are going to be the favorites as they rank among the one hundred best slalomists in the world. In World Cup events several of their athletes have entered the “elite” group of thirty. Practice shows that any athlete from the thirty strongest has every chance of winning. Among our athletes, Igor Zakurdayev turned in the best performance last year in the European Cup event in Austria. After his first run he came in 31st .

19.01.2011
Yelena Khrustalyeva: Everything is going according to plan
Silver medalist of the Vancouver Olympiad 2011 Yelena Khrustalyeva has come back to Kazakhstan from Europe for the final phase of training on the home tracks. This is the second start of Kazakhstan biathlonists on the new stadium in Soldatskoye gorge. The domestic season started with the Kazakhstan Cup in the end of December.
The national team athletes with chief coach Alexander Tkachuk are now in Europe participating in the World Cup phases and estimating their Asian rivals. Like in the previous years Yelena Krustalyeva is practicing with personal coach Viktor Smirnov on an individual schedule. After the fourth phase of the World Cup was over she returned to Almaty.
Now her goal is the Asian Games and her task is successful performance on the domestic track. And as Khrustalyeva says, everything is going according to the plan.

18.01.2011
Special buses to take people to opening ceremony of 7th Asian Games
ASTANA. January 18. KAZINFORM /Gulnara Zhandagulova/ People willing to attend the opening ceremony of the 7th Asian Games will be brought to the event on special buses that are to run from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on January 30.

The opening ceremony is scheduled for 6 p.m., Astana time. Though, the entrance to 'Astana-Arena' stadium will not be allowed after 5 p.m. Taking special buses is the only way to reach the stadium that the opening ceremony will be held at.

The pick up spots are the Congress Hall, the Kulyash Baisseitova National Opera and Ballet Theater, 'Zhastar' Palace , Korme ExpoCenter, "Kazakhstan" Sports Palace, schools No. 37 and 63. After the ceremony the buses will run back to pick up places.

15.01.2011
Asian Games Torch is in Kyzylorda
The upcoming Asian Games’ Torch Relay is underway. Today it arrived in Kyzylorda. This is the fourth city receiving the flame of the 7th Winter Games.
The stretch to Kyzylorda was 12 kilometers long. The torch bearers covered it in two segments. The regional akim Boltabek Kuandykov started the run. In the Park Named after the First President, he passed the flame to the female world champion of togyz kumalaku, Acel Dalieva. Mid-way the flame got to ride a bicycle with our famous cyclist Andrei Kashechkin. The segment was concluded by the basketball champion of the 1972 Olympics in Munich, Alzhan Zharmuhamedov.
Acel Dalieva, the togyz kumalak champion: “For us, this is a source of great pride and success, a potential for future Olympic Games. I am hopeful”.
The second segment of the relay stretched between the train terminal and the city’s central square. The first runner in this segment was the Bronze medalist of the World Championship in Greco-Roman wrestling Ermek Kuketov. The Kyzylorda relay was completed by the Olympic champion in weightlifting Ilya Ilyin, one of the hopefuls for the upcoming London Games. All runners received their own certificates; the director of the torch relay route Nail Nurov entrusted the Torch of the Asian Games to the akim of the region for eternal keeping.
Ilya Ilyin, the 2008 Olympic champion: “Let all achieve good results. More victories. More medals. We’ll root for our winter athletes”.
Kazakh pop stars performed at a grand concert that took place in the square, following the official ceremonies.
Dias Ahmetsharip

14.01.2011
Almaty prepares volunteers for the Winter Asian Games
Khabar Agency.   According to the volunteer training organizers of training for volunteers, most of whom are university students, the image projected by our country will depend, to a large extent, on the attitude, conduct and integrity of our volunteers.

The volunteers already number more than two thousand. They will participate in all kinds of tasks: meeting guests, assisting the press, helping to organize housing and meals, and tending to the venues. Foreign experts were tapped to develop a special training programme for the volunteers. Today, training was given to the group that will escort the athletes.

Vladimir Pavlenko, coach (Russia): “We designed specific goals and training for each group. As you can see, for these guys the emphasis is on being available and able to talk about the country in an engaging, accessible manner”.

Babrak Mekhrabudin, student: “I will be interpreting for our Iranian guests. In general, all volunteers stand out for their command of foreign languages, but, as our professors say, that’s not enough”.

Bagilya Akhatova, Director of Kazakhstan’s Communication Association: “They must know how to establish rapport, listen and hear, understand the situation, partners and topic of the conversation. Our training is geared toward developing these communication skills”.

Ella Mezhibitskaya, student: “Yes, this [training] helps to be open with people you meet for the first time. We, too, are new to this; the same will be true for our guests from other countries”.

Trained volunteers – there are already more than 400 of them – in turn, will share their knowledge with the others.

During the last days before the Games, volunteers are trained at the venues and learn about safety and security. They say they are proud to be part of this event. At the end, all will receive certificates, which will help them to find employment in the future.

14.01.2011
Every Kazakh feels connected with the Games, says businessman Uzakbay Aitzhanov
Almaty. January 14, 2011. Kazinform /Aigul Turysbekova/  Holding the Asian Games in Kazakhstan is a testament to our country’s reaching a new level of development. Our young nation is entrusted to host such a prestigious international competition. As a citizen of Kazakhstan, I feel proud for my country. These were the words of Uzakbay Aitzhanov, Chairman of the Board of the financial and industrial group “Atameken Holding”.

He is sure that today every Kazakh feels connected with this important event. “No doubt, we all feel for the organizers, who are responsible for the way our country is perceived internationally. Of course, such sports events unite the people. Recall how Russia celebrated when the country was chosen to host the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi and the World Cup in 2018. For Kazakhstan, hosting the Asian Games is a step to hosting Olympic Games”, says the businessman. According to him, the ideology of peace has roots in sport. “Hopefully, the time will come when all disagreements are settled by athletic competitions”.

As we all know, everywhere in the world, big sport is sponsored not only by the state, but by the business communities. Mr. Aitzhanov believes that business community in Kazakhstan will invest in social projects, including sport, if the government provides favorable conditions and tax benefits, as it is customary elsewhere in the world. “Our group built a sports center in Almaty, equipped with a swimming pool, tennis courts and other facilities. While membership is not free, for us this is more of a social project than a for-profit enterprise. It is named after the legendary Kazakh football player Timur Segizbaev. For our generation, he is a living legend and part of our youth. I think that his example serves to instill the spirit of patriotism in the young generation”, says the Chairman of “Atameken”.

“Of course, I will root for all our athletes. But of all winter sports my favorite are ice hockey and figure skating. I will definitely try to watch those”, says Mr. Aitzhanov.

14.01.2011
January 14, 2011. Kazakhstan today.“If sports fans violate the rules of conduct at any of the Winter Asian Games venues, they can be removed from the venue without reimbursement for their ticket”, the agency reports referring to the statement of the Directorate of the VII Winter Asian Games 2011.

“The persons violating the temporary rules in effect or refusing to adhere to them may be denied access to or removed from the event without reimbursement of the ticket price”, according to the Directorate of the VII Winter Asian Games 2011

In particular, according to the rules, spectators at a venue have the right: to enter the venue given that they hold tickets or documents, allowing them to enter the venue; to use all services provided by the event organizers and/or owner/leaser of the venue; to bring to and use at the venue banners and flags, the sizes of which do not exceed 2 x 1.5 meters and which are made of nonflammable, nonhazardous materials, among them those attached to flexible, hollow plastic rods, the sizes of which do not exceed 1.5 meters in length and 5 centimeters in diameter; to stand up to cheer the athletes given that other spectators do not object; to join other spectators for the purposes of petitioning the participating sports organizations for the right to bring other objects (such as banners, large flags, etc.) that do not conform to the aforementioned requirements but express support for the athletes at the venue.

In addition, spectators should: maintain social order and follow commonly accepted norms of conduct when present at a venue and adjacent area; show respect to others and abstain from any action that can pose danger to those around them; present tickets, invitations or documents (such as accreditation) in a standard format to the owner/leaser of the venue and to the law enforcement and security personnel; occupy seats printed on their tickets; report instances of discovering suspicious objects and items and of fire and/or smoke; in case of evacuation, calmly and without panic follow evacuation plans and/or directions of the event organizers, representatives of the owner/leaser of the venue, law enforcement, security and emergency agencies’ personnel responsible for maintaining law and order and fire safety at the venue.

The following is also prohibited: smoking at a sport venue except for the areas designated by the owner/leaser of the venue; throwing of objects or liquids of any kind; using pyrotechnic products; actions posing a threat to life, health and/or safety to oneself and other persons; presence in buildings and structures not intended for public use (such as facades, fences, walls, railing, barriers, light posts, camera platforms, trees, rooftops, etc.); entering the parts of the venue and adjacent areas that are not designated for entry in the spectator’s ticket.

In addition, it is prohibited to bring to a venue and adjacent areas any type of weapons; objects that can be used as a weapon or to stab, cut or throw, among them umbrellas of the “cane” type; helmets and other bulky objects; bottles, cups, mugs, jugs, jars and cans as well as objects made of polyether, glass and any other fragile, shattering or very hard material, and Tetra Pack cartons; alcohol beverages of any kind, narcotics and toxic and intoxicating substances; extremist propaganda materials; aerosols, irritating and flammable substances (excluding matches, cigarette lighters and cigarettes), dyes and containers with hazardous substances, as well as combustible and flammable liquids; and laser devices.



14.01.2011
Asian Games to bring 5 thousand tourists to come to Astana and Almaty
profinance.kz
During the Asian Games about 5 thousand tourists are to come to Astana and Almaty from the overseas and the regions of Kazakhstan.
"1,400 tourists will arrive in Astana, and 3,600 tourists will come to Almaty. The predictions about 10 thousand tourists arriving in Kazakhstan did not come true", – says the Interfax-Kazakhstan agency.
According to the available data, the hotel data bank of Almaty counts only 4,784 rooms. In addition there is accommodation available in minor hotels and apartments. There is no doubt Almaty will handle the flow of foreign guests.

13.01.2011
Orienteering is a lifestyle
Vechernii Almaty, January 13, 2011
The days till the Asian Games are counting down. According to the current data, 1,134 athletes from 27 countries will be competing for the highest awards in 11 events. Vechernii Almaty newspaper has had an interview with Ake Jacobson, President of the International Orienteering Federation.
-For the first time ever in the sport history Kazakhstan is going to host the continental tournament 7th Winter Asian Games. What would you like to wish to the people of Kazakhstan in 2011?
– I am very glad that the 7th Asian Winter Games are going to take place in Astana and Almaty. I would like to thank the Kazakhstan Federation of Sport Orienteering for the active work and promotion of orienteering in the region. I am certain that Kazakhstan people will enjoy the competition of the best athletes of Asia on the new stadiums.

– How did you come to sport and why did you become devoted to orienteering?
– In 1958 my childhood friend suggested to join sport orienteering courses for beginners. At that time I was seriously engaged in light athletics however the new sport discipline attracted me greatly. There is something about this sport discipline. It has a mystery of overcoming unknown terrain. To be a good athlete only is not everything. It takes to be good at reading maps and finding bearings in a wood. One has to feel the nature. Our athletes have been through a lot. With maps they were getting through Finnish morasses, making their way through Vietnamese jungles, traveling across Australian savannahs and conquering African deserts. This is an applied kind of sports and the skills gained here are indispensable in common environment. “Orienteering is a lifestyle” is the motto of our Federation.
– Do you plan on visiting Kazakhstan during the upcoming Asian Games?
–Unfortunately I cannot come to Kazakhstan during the Games. We have a very busy schedule of the competitions held under the aegis of our Federation. However I have requested honorary guest of the International Federation of Sport Orienteering Mr. Hugh Cameron to be my personal representative in the Games and tell my best wishes to the organizers.

Victor Kim,
President of the Curling Association of Kazakhstan

19.05.2010
Asiada-2011 in the press

19.05.2010 The snow leopard is looking for friends.

Yulia Koptseva, Almaty

It is almost the summer outside, and they are holding hockey sticks in their hands, jump rope and experience no less than professional athletes before the start. This is due to children's television program "Alandar aykasy", dedicated to the Asian Winter Games, "Astana-Almaty" in 2011.

06.05.2010 Second Breath of  Medeu
There is less than 9 months remaining before the opening of  Asiada. “Construction of sports facilities is on schedule”, said the head of the city Akhmetzhan Yesimov, visiting the mountainous rink Medeu. In particular, the akim of Almaty visited the ice field. After the reconstruction it can work on a new  6 zone scheme. The scoreboard and a new lighting system is installed at the stadium.
The work on the tribune premises of the famous skating rink is at full speed, completion scheduled for August of this year.
Akim of the city inspected the roads leading to the sports complex Medeu and ski base "Shymbulak." Akhmetzhan Yesimov ordered to demolish the high fences of unexploited buildings and illegally constructed objects in order to make the way look presentable. Hakim also instructed the town planners to provide a space for the creation of car parks.
Viktor Andreev

21.04.2010  The fire of new victories

The Torch Relay of the 7th Asian Winter Games comes to the final stage of implementation. In Astana an international scientific-practical conference "Theory and practice of physical culture and sports" took place; also there was a meeting of heads of regional departments of tourism and sports, which were presented to the main provisions of relay.

24.03.2009

Asian Games turn to… Asian small Games

Even with the headaches …. Ambitious plans for the Asian Games “Astana-Almaty” may burst like soap bubble. These Games were conceived as the launching pad for the next application of the southern capital for the role of Winter Olympics hostess. Competitions of Asian Region, Kazakhstan intended to organize with real Olympic scale. But all sorts of delays and so inopportunely happened world crisis have made their adjustments to this process. Now on the agenda is the issue of global reduction of the sports program.

Julia Koptseva
Span of the Asian Games rapidly declines. Sports program is likely to be reduced from eleven to six sports, and all the major activities will be carried out only in one city - Astana. About modified plans specially for the Internet edition of Pozitsiya.su ” says vice-president of the National Olympic Committee, Pavel NOVIKOV:
- The situation is complicated. As in any large endeavor. Things are changing, there is a need to adjust to circumstances. Let’s take the next Olympics in London. There are problems too, which the British do not hide. And in Sochi it is not all smooth.

- It would be nice to hear more about Kazakhstan. Have you personally expected that in the plans for our Asian Games could occur global changes?

-Yes, I was ready for this. I immediately realized that the desire to hold games in two cities is so difficult problem that we hardly can handle. It is no easy to do in one place. And there actually two Asian Games obtained. I keep thinking how to solve coordination issues, and suspected that once will have to go to drastic measures. The name will remain “Astana-Almaty, as has been already approved. Competitions will be in Almaty. But all the functions easier to hold in one city

- Are you for Astana?

- This is our capital. Perhaps this is right. The city is compact, with good infrastructure. It is easier to solve transportation problems. Residents, of course, will be complicated, but it will be temporary difficulties.
- As Almaty born and bred, I think otherwise. These games were originally meant to take place in Almaty, it is not fair to take them away, even to the capital.

- Nobody did not take it away. Now the Vice-Minister of Tourism and Sports Talgat Ermegiyayev was only mandated to examine, explore and report back about the possibility of competition, opening and closing in Astana. The point in this matter has not been set yet. No need to be ahead of the event. «This is unfair» - once the Prime Minister has given a task, it should be done. Another question that, perhaps, this had to be done earlier. Dates are limited.

- We had declared sports program of the 11 sports. If hypothetically assume that Asian Games will be held in Astana, which part of this program we can override?

- Obligatory are only four types. They are the cross-country skiing, ice skating, figure skating and hockey. All can be done. There is another question. Why we have made such a program. Because, the owners wanted to win first place in team scoring. Then cleared. Well, bandy - one medal. Ski orienteering. We thought we will win all, and then it turned out that in the same Japan the sport is very popular, and our athletes catastrophically failed to them. All that we done not guarantee us the victory. Even with very good cards, we can expect as maximum third place. I do not even talk about second.

- In the Olympic Council of Asia, have already made it clear for us that they are not enthusiastic about the pace of our work. They are not too pleased and with our last presentation in Bali at the time of the beach games…

- Yes, our delegation visited, not only the Beach Games, but also a number of other complex competitions. I think they do not know who is responsible and for what. Holding of presentations - it is great work. What they can provide? And who could be happy with this work that is not visible. Of course it is not easy for them too. We have 90 people working in the Executive Direction. And no one has any program - the thing without which it is impossible to work. This is our common misfortune. How to use transportation? This is a complex program. It has been designed and run many events, but for no particular reason no one will give it to us. Or kitchen. How do you think the Chinese know how to cook? Yes, they have centuries-old tradition. However, during the Olympics in operated guest chefs from Europe. Because it has to be so. And Muslims will come to us. They do not eat pork. Hindus do not eat beef. This all must be taken into account. Or medicine. There should be three parts. Doping control, general medicine for guests and sports medicine for the participants. How to organize and coordinate it all? Who will carry suitcases at the airport?

How to develop the work of volunteers? Here is one answer. We should invite experts to prepare programs. Of course, we cannot presume it, to buy everything as the Sheikh of Qatar. On its Asian Games, they invited more than half of specialists, paid them exorbitant money, and they done everything on the highest level. How do we have to build this work? At the expense of the Executive Direction? That’s impossible. We can not presume to buy all of them but the main experts on the basic issues have to be invited now. No need to be so shy. The workload is very heavy.

- You want to say that we have absolutely nothing?

- It is not so. We are in the process of sports facilities construction. And while they are being built, it is necessary, not to delay with organizational work start. You are asking why Astana. Because now we need to urgently look for options to make sure that we have less headaches. We returned to that where we started. We were in a difficult situation, and it must be decided.

- Can it happen, that the OCA will take away from us these games at all?
- When the Prime Minister, posed a problem to revise the program of Asian Games, he just did not wish to cause dissatisfaction of CCA. Having all the objective difficulties, the Asian Games still remain image project for our state. We have no right to disrupt them.

17.11.2008

Vice-Minister of Tourism and Sport checked as builders prepare to Asian Games-2011

Prepare your sleigh in summer! Only after the onset of cold weather builders started to build and renovate athletic facilities for Asian Games 2011. After the Prime Minister audit in September, when he remained dissatisfied with the course of work, the builders took up rock breakers. Today, vice-minister of tourism and sports checked what is already broken, and what is built. When to get up on skis, tells Maria Imayeva.

Opening of the Winter Asian Games in 2011 will not be at Medeu, as originally planned, but in Astana. Therefore the beginning of skating rink reconstruction delayed. Builders started work only 10 days ago. Whether Asian Games closure will be there is yet unknown. Because of this, sports officials, especially not hurry workers with the dismantling of the ice arena.

After Asian Games was splitted in two cities, builders in Almaty are quite relaxed, said, officials anyway will be in the capital. Here without hurry, almost from scratch, rebuilds the Sport Palace. Totally sports make up of two cities to Asian Games would cost the country a hundred billion tenge.

Talgat Yermegiyayev, Vice-Minister of Tourism and Sports of RK:
- As for Sport Palace, dismantling held, from the next week will start assembly of the building. While the budget money is not yet available, but in order to expedite the process, we have found investors who have their own money to start construction and installation works.

Recently, the Kazakh delegation traveled to Indonesia, to report, as prepared for the Games. Olympic Council of Asia scold Kazakhstanis, say, to add pace. In order the Asian Games did not fail, the organizers have decided to help with whole world.

Andrey Kotlov, the president of the Organizing Committee of Asian Games 2011:
- And this is the duty of the Olympic Council of Asia to provide all possible support in the preparation of Asian Games.

Already known that Asian Games in Kazakhstan will beat the records of 2500 athletes from thirty countries - this is a preliminary application.

But who among them will be performing in Astana and who in Almaty, seems to remain a surprise until the last.

Maria Imayeva.

«RTRC «Kazakhstan»

17 November 2008

 

Almaty is ready for the Winter Asian Games in 2011.

 

The construction and renovation of sports facilities such as the Baluan Sholak Sport Palace, Ski Jump Complex, Medeu Alpine Ice Arena, Biathlon and Cross-Country Ski Complex and Shymbulak Alpine Sport Resort are already started.

Today, the Vice-Minister of Tourism and Sports, together with the journalists got acquainted with the progress of work at the Olympic venues.

In the area of more than 15 hectares of the International Ski Jump Complex is a rapid construction of ski jumps. The Complex is planned to split into 2 parts. In one - will be placed 2 ski jumping, a platform for viewers for 3.5 thousand locations, media center and cable car. In the other - will be training center for high-jumpers, and sports school with the indoor sports hall.

The work is in full swing in the Baluan Sholak Sport Palace. Behind - dismantling work, ahead - the restructuring owing to investment. Previously, the building capacity was 4 thousand spectators. After the reconstruction, it could take a thousand more. The issue of accommodation of athletes and visitors of games particularly important for the Asian Games organizers. Indeed, in Kazakhstan will travel more than 2 thousand athletes from around the world. With the accommodation of tourists, journalists and coaches - no problems there, the have assured the organizers of Asian Games.

Andrey Kotlov, the president of JSC “Executive Direction of the Organizing Committee of the 7th winter Asian Games 2011″

According to preliminary estimates, in Asian Games will participate 45 countries. 30 of them to participate in competitions with their athletes. Planned number of athletes - about 2.5 thousand people, they will compete in 11 species.

Meanwhile, Vice Minister of Sports and Tourism has assured journalists that no financial crisis will affect the preparation  pace. All 12 sports facilities will be commissioned before the Asian Games. Their construction and reconstruction, in the capital and Almaty, will cost the treasury of 100 billion tenge. As of today, 4 billion of which already disbursed. The result is visible - it is repair work on Medeu Alpine Ice Arena. Perhaps here will be held a Closing Ceremony of Asian Games.

Nazym Tenelbayeva Correspondent
Today in the Medeu Alpine Ice Arena complete reconstruction of the ice field, the stands and the unused space is performed. If earlier it was planed to build an indoor stadium, today it is decided: the beauty of the gorge should see all the guests of Asian Games. In the meantime, the main organizers of sports events in 2011 promise, that the venue will be commissioned in September 2010.

Talgat Yermegiyayev, Vice-Minister of Tourism and Sports of RK

Now we have 2 weeks work, prepared schedule of works, disassembly is at full speed. Regarding Shymbulak, it is private property, owners must obtain before the end of the year around 260 million dollars in development banks. If they are, they will be in schedule.

While the two cities under active preparation for the Asian Games, organizers of events have developed and adopted a logo and mascot Asian Games. Snow leopard was chosen as mascot of sporting festival.
Nazym Tenelbayeva

17.11.2008

Preparing for the Winter Asian Games

This unique event will be held in Kazakhstan for the first time in 2011.

Today in Almaty arrived representatives of Ministry of Sports to find out how is going the preparation of the Seventh Asian Winter Games. As we know this is a unique event to be held in Kazakhstan for the first time in 2011. Almaty and Astana will receive athletes from 45 Asian countries. To inspect, how Almaty prepares for the Winter Asian Games in 2011 from Astana came delegation led by Vice Minister of Sports. Indeed, large-scale event and considerable money assigned - about 100 billion tenge. There seems that preparation after lengthy negotiations and the paperwork came to the active phase, works are going at full speed at all venues.

Arman Izzhanov Correspondent:
- The program of preparation for this event included 13 venues. Some of them will be built from the foundation, another - reconstructed. We are now in the mountainous skating rink, as you can see here is the modernization of the skating rink, according to the Vice-Minister, there will be a new ice skating rink, and modern refrigeration, the appearance of an Almaty business card and forge of records will not change.

Games will be held in two cities - Almaty and Astana. Opening is scheduled to be held in the capital on a new stadium for 30 thousand seats. According to Talgat Yermegiyayev, before the end of the year will be talking about 20 percent ready. Generally, it is expected that after a year all the major facilities will be built.

Talgat Yermegiyayev, Vice-Minister of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan:
- By September 2010 it will be fully placed in operation and will be like an ordinary venue operational, can be operated, we are going for six months to hand over all the venues that the athletes could train, even coming from other countries.

Now it is going modernization of the Baluan Sholak Sport Palace. After installation work the Complex will be more for 6 thousand square meters. If now it is for 4 thousand spectators, after the reconstruction there will be a thousand more seats.

Andrey Kotlov, the president of the JSC “Executive Direction of the Organizing Committee of the 7th winter Asian Games 2011″:

- Work on preparation and conducting of Asian Games is in full swing in accordance with the contract, which is made between the IOC and the two cities - Astana and Almaty. According to preliminary estimates, in Asian Games will participate 45 countries. 30 of these 45 countries will present to participate in competitions with their athletes. Planned number of athletes - about 2.5 thousand people, they will compete in 11 species.

International Ski Jump Complex now in the stage of construction, but already has gained visible shape of the stand. As pointed out by Talgat Ermegiyayev already received approval of the Olympic Council of Asia for all venues. While there will refrain from conversations regarding payback. But we know that the Asian Games will give a powerful impetus to the development of mass sports, and all buildings constructed after the Games will be unique platform for the preparation of national athletes

17.11.08.

Preparing for the Winter Asian Games

Today, to the journalists were shown preparedness of Almaty for the Asian Games in 2011. In the southern capital will be new Biathlon and Cross-Country Ski Complex and Ski Jump Complex. Also started reconstruction of the Sport Palace and Medeu Alpine Ice Arena.

Sport Palace in 2011 will become higher for 3 floors - there will be built health-recreation center, new lockers, lounges, a press center and commentary booths. Construction will start at the beginning of the next year.

In the southern part of the city is already at full speed construction of a ski jumps. In addition, there will be a new sports school, media center, gymnasium and swimming pool. But to Medeu Alpine Ice Arena the Almatians in the next 2 years will not get - here is construction work at full speed. The new rink will meet all international standards. The size of the ice fields will remain the same, but the podium will add thousand additional seats. In addition, will be build new gymnasiums and hotel for the athletes. Almatians will have a possibility to appreciate all the dignity of a new skating rink in 2010.

By 2011, tracks of Shymbulak will become longer, will be opened an international school of alpine skiing and snowboarding. The Olympic Council is satisfied with our preparations for the Asian Games.

ANDREY KOTLOV, PRESIDENT OF WINTER ASIAN GAMES ORGANIZING COMMITTEE: «Meanwhile the Olympic Council of Asia has no claims against us on the preparations for the Asian Games».

Totally for Asian Games in Almaty and Astana will be built 13 sports facilities. According to preliminary calculations, it would cost to the State 100 billion tenge. And good news - trainings on the new routes and the skating rink will start before Asian Games.

TALGAT YERMEGIYAYEV, VICE MINISTER OF TOURISM AND SPORTS: «We are going to hand over all facilities for the six months before Asian Games that athletes could come and train».
It is now exactly known - that the opening of the Winter Asian Games will be held in Astana. And the closing will be held in Almaty.
Katerina Kupreyeva.

KAZAKHSTAN TODAY

With the onset of cold weather in Almaty started construction of the facilities for the Asian Games of 2011

Almaty. 18 November. “Kazakhstan Today” - With the onset of cold weather in Almaty started construction of the facilities for the Asian Games in 2011, broadcast agency, with reference to the channel KTC.

As informs the correspondent of the KTC, the opening of the winter Asian Games in 2011 will not be at Medeu, as originally planned, but in Astana. Therefore, the beginning of reconstruction of skating rink delayed. Builders started work only 10 days ago.

Construction of sports facilities in Almaty and Astana will cost the country at 100 billion tenge.
“As for the Sport Palace: dismantling carried out. From the next week will begin assembly of the building. While the budget money is not yet available, but in order to expedite the process, we have found investors who have their own money to start the construction and installation work”, - said Vice-Minister of Tourism and Sports of Kazakhstan Talgat Yermegiyayev.
According to the TV, the Kazakh delegation recently traveled to Indonesia to report about preparation for the Games. Olympic Council of Asia remained dissatisfied with the work and advised to add pace in the construction industry.

Already know that Asian Games in Kazakhstan will beat the record of 2500 athletes from thirty countries - this is a preliminary application. But who among them will be speaking in Astana and in Almaty, who, while not known.
But who among them will be performing in Astana and who in Almaty, not known yet.

18 November 2008

To Asian Games Medeu and Sport Palace will be rebuilt.

In Almaty preparation for the 7th Winter Games is at full speed

Please remind, that in 2011 Asian Games will take the two cities - Astana and Almaty. Opening will be in Astana, as well as competitions in hockey, figure skating and speed skating, and in Almaty - the closure of the Asian Games and competitions for all other types of winter sports.
Vise minister of Tourism and Sports Talgat Yermegiyayev described to date preparations of Almaty sports facilities - the Baluan Sholak Sport Palace, Medeu Alpine Ice Arena and International Ski Jump Complex.

Reconstruction of the Sport Palace has started only recently. This facility will be used for the competition for short track speed skating. Soon from the Palace will leave only the old skeleton around which will be build new structure. Building the Sport Palace will not become higher, but the appearance will fairly changed. Number of seats will be increased from 4000 to 5000. Of course, all equipment will be installed in accordance with European standards.

Design of Medeu Alpine Ice Arena is no less ambitious: it includes the complete renovation of the old control room, the ice field and the stands, an increase in temporary recreational athletes. The number of seats in the stands will not increase, and the appearance of a well-known sports centre will not change much. Therefore Patriots can sleep peacefully - Medeu will maintain its visibility.

In developing of the construction plan of an International Ski Jump Complex Kazakh engineers helped colleagues from Germany and France. Construction of the Complex takes place in Remizovskoye gorge. On the territory will be placed, five ski jumps - two for the tournament (height - 95 and 125 m) and three training (height - 60, 40 and 20 m), 5,5 at the podium, thousands of audience seats, parking, judging tower, media center, Olympic village, cable car and a training complex. In addition, it is planned to build on the western slope of the terrace at foothills 4000 standing places.

Now the construction of spectator stands is under way.
To put in commission all the sports facilities promised by September 2010.
Yevgeny Ivanov.

20.11.2008

OCA supports us

Recently, in Almaty, and perhaps, in Kazakhstan, circulated published in a number of media rumors about the alleged dissatisfaction of Olympic Council of Asia, and in particular the OCA president Sheikh Ahmad, the pace of our two cities to the 7th Winter Asian Games to be held in 2011. Homegrown exclamations «guard» accompanied by apparent threats specifically named sports functionaries to postpone these events to another location. What is actually happening now, explained to our correspondent the President of JSC «Executive Direction of the Organizing Committee of the 7th winter Asian Games 2011» Andrey KOTLOV:

- From where come these rumors - we do not know. And OCA leaders did not give such interviews. During a recent meeting of the General Assembly of Olympic Council of Asia in Bali, attended by Sheikh Ahmad, and General Manager, and representatives of the countries - members of the board, there were no questions from the OCA leaders about the dissatisfaction with the pace of our preparation for Asian Games. I will say more: the recently finished joint inspection visit to Kazakhstan of the OCA representatives, and the delegation headed by Director General of the Council Mr. Hussain.

In addition, the number of inspectors included the Chairman of the Committee on Sports of the Olympic Council of Asia, Mr. Wei, authoritative sports functionary of the Chinese People’s Republic coming to Kazakhstan for several times. Our guests have visited the construction sites of future Asian Games venues in Almaty Asiada, I have been with them on this trip and I can quote the words of Mr. Wei: «I have no doubt that the facilities will be ready on time and with quality, so that we can, as scheduled in the contract to hold here six months before the Winter Asian Games competition test».

At OCA General Assembly were considered a whole range of issues: the possibility of holding of an Asian youth games, the prospects for the development of beach games in different countries, the preparations for the Asian Games of a next years, and even the presentation of some European countries that aspire to host the Olympic Games. Kazakhstan submitted its interim report on the preparations for the Games-2011, and now on decision of the OCA this question will hear the matter in April 2009 at the regular meeting of the General Assembly of Olympic Council of Asia in Bangkok.

- Is program of the 7th Winter Asian Games approved or agreements are still continuing? In particular, we are interested will bandy and ski orienteering stay there in the calendar which are still of a little interest among Asians?

- The final resolution of these issues, we believe, will be held in April in Bangkok. We are in constant contact with Mr. Wei, and other authorized representatives of the OCA, consult, specify, and so on. For this part you should consult with competent people working on it in this work. I have several other functions.

- Organizers of the 7th Games promise to journalists comfortable environment at all venues for future competitions …

- During our visit to the island of Bali, we spent the day specifically for the study of the press center. We had endless abilities to consider these things in detail, as at that time if on a resort island were held the first Asian Games in beach sports. With the election of the National TV channel, which will be busy with our coverage of the Games, is busy a corporation «Arna Media» together with the Ministry of Culture and Information of RK. To decide the current issues between the executive management of Asian Games and the Ministry of Culture and Information were made working group. So the work goes on.

- And does the change in management in Almaty affect to the pace of preparations for Asian Games?

- Continuity in this matter is complete. I participated in weekly meetings held by Almaty City Administration specifically created for this purpose organizational committee. In discussing of the most important questions of meetings held by Akim of the city Akhmetzhan Yesimov, current cases are under the supervision of the Deputy Akim Victor Dolzhenkov. You currently have visited three construction and renovation of sports facilities of Almaty and saw that the city is seriously preparing for the Asian Games.
Yuri MAKAROV

 

20.11.2008
The builders promise - everything will be on time!

To visit three venues of future Winter Asian Games in 2011 under construction and reconstruction in Almaty - probably to waste three days. And it is not the fact that you will permitted to go for the high fences, and no guarantee that this day someone will tell you something and will allow plenty of photographs. But in the recently organized press tour for journalists for half a day were shown tremendous restoration work at the venues of Baluan Sholak Sport Palace and Medeu Alpine Ice Arena, as well as built with the accelerated tempo International Ski Jump Complex.

Our first stop - Sport Palace. Prior to the reconstruction area of the sports arena was 19 thousand square meters, after the scheduled works - about 25 thousand. Constructors according to the new draft will leave the basic structures, will increase the load-bearing columns, and everything else - to the international standards and the wishes of the members of the Olympic Council of Asia. We have opened the central part of the palace, one that remains in the ground, but everything else has a razor blade cut. After two or three days, as promised, Vice-Minister of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan Talgat Yermegiyayev, dismantling will be completed and will start construction of a modern sports facility.

By the end of the reconstruction the number of seats there will be increased from four to five thousand, is planned to establish a new reliable equipment for freezing the ice in the palace, change the system of condensation of air. And, of course, undergo a major upgrading of the system utility rooms: cloakrooms, medical and press center, kitchens and so on. The external appearance of the Sport Palace will also have a modern look.

Panorama of the powerful building met us in the southern part of Almaty, on the venue of the future Ski Jump Complex. Here are five ski jumps - two Olympic, competitive capacity of 125 and 95 meters, and three small practice - K-60, K-40 and K-20. The territory of the whole area - 15 hectares. Apart from the ski jumps the Complex includes adaptive-training center, gymnasium, indoor swimming pool, podium, media center, the starting area, parking for buses. Here it will be the Olympic Village for the teams - participating Asian Games - Thirty-houses with all necessary infrastructure.

Now almost all the buildings at the venue, removed «from scratch», and is going construction of the first floors. The work is intensely moving, the venue will be built by fall 2010, after which there is scheduled to hold a ski jump World Cup. There are no analogues in the near abroad yet, but to compare the future Ski Jump Complex Almaty specialists can only with German and Austrian, that are the best in the world.

The cable car will lift on athletes both on large and small jumps. When there will be no major competition children from sports schools will rush for the small training springboard. If among the spectators there will be wishing persons, they can exchange for a fee to rise to the top and watch the competition and just the city from a bird’s-eye view. Apart from the purely sporting events at this facility will be to hold events and shows, such as competition «Asia Dauysy» and others: the number of spectator seats on the platform a set of six thousand.

Builders do not hide the difficulties that they have encountered. This is construction of landing ski jumps, and the strengthening of the slopes, it is difficult technical conditions for electricity and water. But all will eventually be solved, and the venue will be commissioned on time

Medeu Alpine Ice Arena. Here we also met with powerful machines, dozens of builders working on the dismantling of long-glowing panels and «pick» concrete ground of ice arena. We have already reported that it had been decided to do not cover with roof «factory of world records»: organizers of Asian Games-2011, first, very much not like to lose attractiveness of Medeu, secondly, the conclusion of designers in this regard has proved negative. The slope of Mount Mokhnatka, at the base of which rises ice rink, with the additional load can start to move, and indoor construction increase the weight of the venue by 25-30 per cent. In a word, after reconstruction «Pearl of Zailiyskiy Alatau» will remain the same attractive to residents of the city and many tourists as in previous years, the usual appearance of the legendary skating rink will be maintained.

The most careful work is planned at the ice box and the installation of new refrigeration equipment. There will be replacement of all engineering services and technology that significantly increased the number of hotel rooms, located under platform of the construction - from 134 up to, approximately, 230. Near the skating rink will be build a set of sports facilities for the games in bowling, basketball, volleyball, curling, boxing classes and other sports. The number of spectator seats at Medeu will remain the same - five thousand.

During the visit, the journalists also familiarized with, virtually for now, with plans to build a Biathlon and Cross-Country Ski Complex in Soldatskoye Gorge, sports facilities in Astana, the future place of residence of athletes, coaches, judges and guests of Asian Games-2011.
Yuri LIFINTSEV