Kazakh athletes vow best experience in Almaty in 2022

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – At a press conference today Kazakhstan’s premier winter sports athletes reaffirmed Almaty 2022’s commitment to provide the best athlete’s experience for both the 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Sochi 2014 figure skating bronze medalist Mr. Denis Ten, Kazakhstan National Team Ice Dancer, Innsbruck 2012 Youth Olympian Ms. Karina Uzurova and Sochi 2014 Paralympic Games participant Ms Zhanyl Baltabayeva joined the President of the National Paralympic Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan Mr Kairat Boranbayev and Almaty 2022 Vice Chairman Mr. Andrey Kryukov to discuss how Almaty’s compact Games Concept will be a huge benefit to the athletes.

During the event, the athletes highlighted how the combination of Almaty’s ideal winter climate and efficient and easy to use Games Concept would provide the perfect competition conditions for both Games periods.

Almaty’s Games Concept is one of the most compact in over 30 years with all venues are located within a 30km radius of the Olympic Village. Additionally, 70% of the necessary venues already exist and are in full use, and by 2017 80% will exist due to the Winter Universiade.

Sochi 2014 Bronze medalist Mr. Denis Ten: ” As an athlete, I can tell you that the close proximity of all venues to the Village is an amazing benefit for the Olympians. The short travel times make life easier for the athletes and allow them to better prepare for the biggest competitions of their lives. Almaty’s amazing mountain and city venues are tried and tested and will provide an amazing experience for the Olympic and Paralympic athletes, spectators and everyone watching around the world.”

The athletes also shared their personal stories and described why Almaty 2022 is so important to them and the thousands of aspiring young Kazakh athletes who want desperately to host the Games in their country.

Ms Zhanyl Baltabayeva: ” Winter sports is our passion in Almaty and our amazing and accessible venues will be a huge benefit to all athletes. Almaty has significant experience hosting events for para-athletes and our perfect winter climate will provide the perfect competition conditions during both Games periods.”