IOC inspectors satisfied with Almaty 2022 preparations

Andrey Kryukov

Almaty (Kazakhstan), Feb 16 (IANS)

The International Olympic Committee's (IOC) evaluation commission continued its inspection of the Almaty 2022 Winter Games bid. The commission were briefed on the themes of accommodation, transportation and media facilities, as well as proposed venues before they visited five different venues during the day, reports Xinhua.

The venues included the Ice Palace, a venue being built for the 2017 Winter Universiade that would serve as the main ice hockey venue in 2022, as well the Central Stadium where the opening and closing ceremonies would take place and the Baluan Sholak Sports Palace, a multi-purpose facility which would serve as a secondary location for ice hockey.

The IOC inspectors also visited the Medals Plaza site as well as the Sunkar Precinct in which ski jumping, nordic combined and sliding sports would be held.

Almaty 2022 vice-chairman Andrey Kryukov said that the IOC delegation led by Russian Olympic Committee president Alexander Zhukov was being "amazed every day", highlighting the "absolutely excellent venues" in the bid plan.

"I'm encouraged by the feedback so far and impressed by the extremely constructive and supportive style of how the IOC carry out this visit. Day 2 was fantastic. I am very pleased with Almaty's second day of its first-ever IOC Evaluation Commission visit," said Kryukov.

Inspections are due to continue with the IOC set to visit a series of venues, including the Shymbulak Ski Hills.

Following the conclusion of the visit Wednesday, the commission will visit Beijing from March 24 to 28 before a final decision is scheduled to be made at the IOC Session in Kuala Lumpur July 31.