The delegations from Almaty and Beijing, the 2022 Winter Olympic Games candidate cities, presented their three-volume bid books in Lausanne, Switzerland Jan. 6 for consideration by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
“Our 2022 candidature file is a chance for the world to experience what we have always known: Almaty is a modern, beautiful city graced with real, pristine mountains and real, ideal winter weather – it is a city perfectly suited to host an intimate, accessible Winter Games with lots of natural snow,” said Almaty Mayor Akhmetzhan Yessimov.
The proposal books, written in English and French, were required to be a maximum of 360 pages with details, maps and photographs of the venues. The reports included 14 various themes, such as vision, legacy, engagement, transport, accommodation, finance and sustainability.
The Kazakh delegation was represented by Almaty Deputy Mayor Zauresh Amanzholova, Secretary General of the Kazakhstan National Olympic Committee (NOC) Timur Dossymbetov, Almaty 2022 bid board member Andrey Kryukov, Director General of the State Foundation Ilya Urazakov and IOC & International Federations Bid Relations Director Oksana Rizanenko.
“This is our second bid for the Winter Games because we believe it is time to build on what the Olympic spirit has achieved in the past by demonstrating its massive potential to achieve societal benefits in the future,” said Dossymbetov.
Amid the public pressure of those who oppose the pricey venture, Almaty is seeking cost-effective ways to host the Olympics while trying to adhere to low cost and sustainability. As the city is preparing to host the Universiade in 2017, many winter sports venues will be constructed in advance of 2022 which, provided Almaty wins the bid, would reduce the expense of the much-anticipated winter event.
The IOC Evaluation Commission will travel to the former Kazakh capital Feb. 14-18 for a site inspection. Both Almaty and Beijing will present their bids to IOC members again in Lausanne in June and the host city will be unveiled in Kuala Lumpur on July 31.
