September 2010|1 - KazEnergy

September 2010|87
ECONOmy DivErSifi-
CaTiON aND uTiliza-
TiON Of iNTEllECTual
rESOurCES arE pEr-
CEivED aS ThE maiN
DirECTiONS fOr ThE
furThEr dEvElopmENt
of AstANA
citY’s compEtitivE
AdvANtAGEs.
In 2003 the fifth Asian Games were conducted
in Aomori, Japan. The sportsmen of Kazakhstan
got seven gold medals. In 2007 the sixth
Asian games were conducted in Changchun,
China.
As a whole, Kazakh athletes have won 92
gold, 95 silver and 129 bronze medals – placing
the country just behind Japan, China and
South Korea in the ratings.
Kazakhstan won the bid to host the 7th Asian
Winter Games 2011 in January 5, 2006, when
Almaty was selected to be a host-city.
In 2007, due to economical and political
reasons, the Government of the Republic of
Kazakhstan proposed the OCA to organize
the 7th Asian Winter Games in the two main
cities of Kazakhstan - Astana, the capital of
Kazakhstan, and Almaty.
In October 20, 2008 the additional agreement
was concluded and signed in Bali between
the Olympic Council of Asia, represented
by its president Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad
Al-Sabah, the city of Astana, represented by
its mayor Mr. Tasmagambetov, the city of
Almaty, represented by its mayor Mr. Yessimov,
and the National Olympic Committee
of Kazakhstan.
Nowadays, in the period of steady progressive
development, Kazakhstan has all preconditions
to become one of the continent’s
biggest sport powers, able to organize and
successfully carry out such a large-scaled
event.
The area around Almaty, in the South, is
perfect for competitions like Alpine skiing,
biathlon and short-track. «Medeo», a worldknown
high mountain skating rink, was
reconstructed for such events. Not far from
this venue, almost 2000 meters above sea
level and 3620 meters long, is the Shymbulak
Alpine Ice Resort, picturesque and amazing
place, and in the foothills of Zailiyskiy, Alatau
– there is a new ski-biathlon stadium being
built, along with International Ski Jump Complex
with world-class ski-jumps K-125, K-95.
Other Asiad Games venues are situated in
the capital Astana, where modern stadia and
sport complexes were also erected, such as
the Indoor Football Stadium and the Indoor
Speed Skating Stadium. A list of first-class
hotels in the cities is already defined for the
guests.
According to a provisional programme, it is
planned to hold competitions in 12 separate
sporting events, and to award 65 sets of
medals. More than 2000 athletes from 26
Asian countries will take part in the Games.
At the Asian Games of 2011 our athletes will
definitely show great results.
A keen sportsman, President Nursultan
Nazarbayev designated sport as one of the
best ways to have Kazakhstan recognized on
the international scene, and in April 2008, the
President of Kazakhstan participated in the
Olympic torch relay ceremony, personally
carrying the torch along the streets of Almaty
on its way to Beijing.