Uzbekistan: Construction of the Olympic town is complete

On August 18, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited the Olympic town constructed in the city of Tashkent.

The construction began on November 9, 2022. Then the Head of State mentioned that the Olympic town will become a symbol of the high creative potential of our people and the outstanding achievements of the Uzbek sport, will be distinguished by its perfect architecture, energy efficiency and the embodiment of the most advanced innovation solutions.

These words are fully justified – in a short period on an area of over 100 hectares an impressive complex has been built. The unique project worth over $290 million was implemented by CAMC Engineering company in accordance with international standards.

The town accommodates five main sport facilities.

The velodrome, built on the basis of complex engineering solutions and original design, deserves special attention. The quality, trajectory, and turning angles of its track meet the requirements of the International Olympic Committee. The multilayer surface uses wood of the strongest species. To preserve the quality of the surface, a stable temperature will be maintained inside the velodrome year-round. Even air resistance has been taken into account. Lighting is organized evenly and optimally, both for the convenience of athletes and for spectators and television broadcasts. The stands are designed for 2,200 people. In accordance with the new IOC requirements, protective barriers have been installed in the spectator areas. In addition, the velodrome is multifunctional: competitions and training in table tennis and fencing can be held here. This is the first facility of such a level in Uzbekistan. The President instructed to prepare a program for the development of cycling in the regions and the creation of the necessary conditions for this.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized that table tennis is an accessible and popular sport, and instructed to actively introduce it in schools and mahallas, as well as establish the production of the necessary equipment.

In the center of the town there is a stadium with 12 thousand seats. During international tournaments, ceremonial events will take place here, while the green field and nine-lane running track will host competitions in 48 types of athletics, including world championships, the “Diamond League”, Paralympic competitions and IBSA Games for the visually impaired. At other times, the stadium will be used for training camps and dual education. In the four-story building adjacent to the stadium, specialists of national teams and sports federations will be accommodated.

The Head of State emphasized that athletics and Paralympic disciplines are of great importance for strengthening public health and are widely represented in the programs of the Olympic and Asian Games, yet in our country their potential is not fully utilized. In this regard, instructions were given to prepare a set of measures for the development of all areas of athletics: reconstruct stadiums in the regions, improve conditions for training, attract foreign coaches and enhance the skills of athletes.

The Palace of Water Sports also stands out for its modernity and convenience. It features 25x50 meter swimming pools, a 25x20 meter diving pool, a training pool and gyms. All conditions and dimensions fully comply with international Olympic standards. Recently, a delegation of the World Aquatics Federation inspected the complex and confirmed its compliance. Thus, it is possible to host here Asian and World championships in swimming, diving, synchronized swimming, and water polo, including tournaments of the Olympic program. The stands are designed for more than 2 thousand spectators. The President emphasized the need for further development of water sports and improving results in international tournaments.

Complexes for team sports and martial arts have also been built to international standards. Each of them is three stories high, with stands for 2 thousand spectators. One will host training sessions and international competitions in volleyball, basketball and handball, and the martial arts hall – judo, boxing, and taekwondo.

During the visit, the President met with athletes:

– On international arenas you raise our flag and demonstrate the country’s development. Each of your victories is a source of pride for the people, strength and inspiration for the youth. Continue these efforts, guide the juniors and lift our sport even higher, – said Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

In the Olympic town, 15 outdoor fields for football, volleyball, tennis, field hockey, and athletics have also been built. A dormitory for 400 Paralympic athletes and a Scientific-practical center of sports medicine are near completion.

All facilities of the town will be energy efficient. Solar panels will be installed above the parking lots.

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The Olympic town – a scientific and practical, education and training center of the domestic sport

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced this on November 18, 2023 during revision of the Olympic town construction.

- Here not only the training should be united, but also sports education, science and medicine. In other words, this place will become a scientific and practical, educational and training center of the sports in our country, - mentioned the Head of State.

In accordance with this concept, the town accommodates Ministry of sports, Anti Doping agency, the State sports academy, Scientific and research center of physical culture and Center for development of sport types.

During the current visit information on the plans for effective utilization of the infrastructure of Olympic town, accommodating and activities of the sports organizations, was presented.

First and foremost, international competitions will be held here. After their completion, the facilities will not stand idle: they will serve as education and training camps for the national teams, while the federations will establish cooperation with sports schools. In addition, the facilities will be open to the residents of the country.

The President met with the heads of sports organizations and federations.

- First of all, I congratulate our athletes and federations on the appearance of such a complex. With this, we have laid a solid foundation for the health of the young generation and for future victories. But this is only the beginning. What is more important is the mass development of sports and preparation of professional athletes. We will develop sports both from the perspective of health and from the perspective of achievements. There are plans to build such Olympic towns in the regions as well. The main goal is the health and comprehensive development of our youth, – said Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

As is known, at the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris, our athletes performed successfully, taking 13th place in the overall team standings in both categories. Now, the task is set to further develop the Olympic movement and improve results in the upcoming competitions.

On July 8 this year, the President signed a decree on the program for preparing Uzbek athletes for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. To systematize this work, 14 regional branches of the National Olympic committee have been established. The Chairman of the Jokargy Kenes of Karakalpakstan, the khokims of the regions and the city of Tashkent have been appointed as special representatives of the President for the development of the Olympic movement. Each region has been assigned responsible officials from the Ministry of sports and the Olympic committee.

The main goal is to create a sustainable system of athlete preparation and conditions for achieving high results not only at one Olympics, but for many years to come.

To identify and professionally train talented athletes from the grassroots level, a three-stage competition system called “Olympic peaks of New Uzbekistan” has been introduced. Its final stage will be held annually in the Olympic town under the name “Presidential Olympics”. Winners and prize-winners will be sent to Olympic centers for further professional training.

The activities of the Republican Olympic and Paralympic centers will be oriented at forming a reserve of national teams. To organize education and training sessions they will receive facilities of the Olympic town free of charge.

Additionally, to expand the athletes reserve the activities of the private sports clubs will be improved and their participation will be ensured at official competitions. Athletes with high results can enter national teams.

The President paid special attention to the development of mass sports.

- Courage and the spirit of competition are in the blood of our people. Our people love sports. This love must be nurtured, and sports should become even more widespread in the mahallas. The conditions already exist on sites, and new facilities continue to be built. Mass participation will inevitably bring results, – emphasized Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

Instructions were also given to digitalize the sports sector, strengthen the activities of federations and expand the number of competitive and result-oriented sports.

Official web-site of the President of Uzbekistan