The venue, which opened in 1951, is the highest ice rink in the world at a height of almost 1,700 metres, known as much for its location and open-air nature as well as the fact that over 120 world records were broken there in Soviet times.

It is considered a major asset of Almaty's bid, which is facing opposition from only Beijing in a two-horse race.

Because all Olympic tracks are now required have a closed roof in order to ensure equal conditions and less impact from the elements, a roof must be installed in order for speed skating action to take place there during the Games. 

Under current plans, the roof would be a permanent construction, costing around $51 million (£33 million/€45 million), while an open-air ice rink will be installed close to the facility to ensure some continuation of the iconic legacy.

But, despite this latter proposal, concerns have already been raised over the necessity of having a permanent roof, and whether this will detract from the beauty of a venue which has previously been described as the "Mecca", "Pearl" and "Crown Jewels" of Almaty.

Some sort of temporary or retractable roof could be considered instead, it is thought.

Andrey Kryukov (second right) outlined the flexibility he sees as being provided by Agenda 2020 ©ITG

Almaty 2022 vice-chairman Andrey Kryukov admitted that different proposals have been raised, adding that Agenda 2020 gives the bid team flexibility to make changes even though their Bid Book proposals were submitted last month.

"Agenda 2020 provides us flexibility with different possibilities to provide facilities for the Games," he said.

"We had long conversations about this, but we have a few solutions, roof and unroofed.

"For us, as Almaty citizens, it is very important that we keep Medeu as a landmark."

Kryukov added that, as well as the IOC, they will work with "athletes, federations and people who hike in the mountains" to come up with the best solution.

He also claimed the bid are keen to consult the general public about all of their plans, revealing two meetings have taken place with Non-Governmental Organisations over the last week on various matters, including ecological issues.

This comes as Almaty officials are keen to demonstrate the widespread support for the bid among the wider population, following suggestions that some locals are concerned about certain aspects.

Polls, however, have indicated strong support for the bid from more than 60 per cent of the local population.

The status of re-development will have been on the agenda when the IOC visited the Medeu Skating Arena today, where, for the first time in three days, the IOC tour coincided with the adjoining media tour.

This occurred only for a five minute photo shoot in which questions were banned for "protocol" reasons, a decision seemingly at odds with the openness and transparency encouraged by Agenda 2020.

The IOC Evaluation Commission pose for their long awaited photo shoot during inspections ©ITG


Several members of the 12 strong Panel briefly spoke nonetheless, with Russian chairman Alexander Zhukov describing how Almaty have given a "very good impression", during meetings and visits so far.

Britain's IOC Athletes' Commission member Adam Pengilly, a two-time Olympian skeleton athlete, added: "We have been very well looked after, we have asked a lot of questions and were given good answers.

"It is early doors and there are a lot of things to analyse."

The Commission also visited the proposed Olympic City, one of only three venues to be developed from scratch and where the main Athletes' Village and the Media Village would be located.

They then concluded proceedings at Shymbulak ski resort, another venue dating back to the 1950s where downhill and super G action will be staged if Almaty's bid succeeds. 

Site visits have now completed, but the inspection will continue tomorrow with another series of meetings. 

Kazakh Prime Minister Karim Massimov was due to meet the IOC Commission tomorrow, but it is now thought he is unable to attend as a result of ongoing political developments in Astana that have seen the ruling party call a snap Presidential election most likely for later this year.

President Nursultan Nazarbayev, who has led the nation since independence in 1991 following the collapse of the Soviet Union, would be expected to be elected for a fresh five year term. 

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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