On February 17, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov visited the Olympic Park under construction in the Turkmen capital to get acquainted with the construction progress of this large complex of sports facilities, as well as with projects of a number of its objects. The unique complex, being constructed on the initiative of the head of Turkmen state, includes more than 30 sports facilities and other purpose objects. As is known, its solemn foundation stone laying ceremony took place in November 2010 with participation of the head of state. Competitions of the V Asian Indoor Games and Martial Arts in the Turkmen capital in 2017 are to be held in the arenas of the Olympic Park. The head of state started his get-acquainted tour to the complex, with a visit to one of its objects - a 450-bed modern hotel. Apart from comfortable rooms, the architecturally original building boasts conference halls, designed to seat a different number of people, restaurants, cafe, shops, a hair salon, a fitness studio, saunas, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and etc. Modern services, including health spa will be at the disposal of guests. Upon entering the hotel, the nation’s leader examined a hall on the first floor, where clipboards with project designs of the Olympic Park buildings and facilities had been installed. A video film about the construction of the Olympic Park and its objects was shown on the screen installed in the foyer to give visual demonstration of the multi-purpose sports complex. The President of Turkmenistan was also offered to watch an animated film dedicated to the Torch Relay of the V Asian Indoor Games and Martial Arts, as one of the main symbols of the Games. The route of the Torch Relay for the 2017 Asian Games, (the flame lighting ceremony will take place at the “Galkynysh” gas field - one of the world’s largest natural gas fields) will pass through various parts of our country, and its areas of unique interest. By means of different modes of transport - overland, air and sea – the Flame for the Games will cross the entire country and complete its journey in the Turkmen capital - white marble Ashgabat, where an impressive welcome ceremony will take place. Then, the nation’s leader got acquainted with project designs of the Olympic Park facilities, as well as a complex of buildings planned for construction in the capital. The General Plan of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd phases of the Olympic Park construction, as well as project designs of a number of facilities, residential complexes for athletes, a social and cultural center, a new 45,000-seat Olympic Stadium, a 4,000-seat indoor tennis court, including layout plans, facade details, exterior and interior designs of building and facilities were presented for consideration by the head of state. Project designs of the Olympic Stele were submitted for consideration by the nation’s leader as well. Besides, the President of Turkmenistan familiarized himself with the project of a 5,138-meter monorail with stations and relevant technical infrastructure, as well as exterior and interior designs of a train. Speaking of the features of this mode of transport, the head of state assigned to study the issues related to the use of monorail roads in other regions of the country, particularly, in the “Avaza” National Tourist Zone (which is being formed on the coast of the Caspian Sea), and to prepare the relevant project. Draft designs of the Olympic torch, different medals for awarding winners, the 2017 Asian Games mascot, and a wide variety of souvenirs with symbols of the Games - badges, knitwear, booklets, etc., and sportswear were demonstrated as well. The presented designs reflected creative search of designers, who seek to enrich them with national symbols, among which is an octagonal star of Oguzkhan. After becoming acquainted with the presented samples, the nation’s leader expressed a number of remarks. Then the President of Turkmenistan gave consideration to project designs of a new building of the “Nusay” Hotel, located in the center of Ashgabat, as well as a green area, fountains and other facilities planned for construction in the territory of the hotel complex. The projects prepared by the Industrialists and Entrepreneurs Union of Turkmenistan were also submitted for consideration by the nation’s leader. Among them were projects of a restaurant proposed to be built in the picturesque ravine in the foothills of the Kopetdag, and a number of other objects. In particular, the second floor of the new two-story restaurant will have an open terrace; this will give visitors an opportunity to admire the beauty of the scenery. Among other proposals of the Union are projects of a new building of the capital’s shopping complex, which will house shops specializing in food products, the “Rysgal” Joint Stock Commercial Bank”, a business center, a shopping center, and residential buildings. Then the President went up in an elevator to the second floor of the hotel, which accommodates a restaurant, a café and two conference halls. In one of the conference halls, the President of Turkmenistan conducted a working meeting on the issues of the 2017 Asian Games with relevant executives. The nation’s leader commissioned the State Sports Committee and the National Olympic Committee to systematically send athletes abroad for training activities and to organize the work of experienced foreign coaches in special sports on a contractual basis. Pending the subject, the head of state instructed the khyakimlik of Ashgabat city to ensure the preparation and placement of billboards and other advertising aids, devoted to the upcoming Games. Having focused on the importance of organizing special training seminars to improve the skills of volunteers to be engaged in the 2017 Asian Games, the head of state also assigned the staff of the Ministry of Education to prepare phrase books, dictionaries, including sports ones, special handbooks in different languages. President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov noted the necessity of providing a “special separate passage” at the capital’s International Airport during the Games, working out a list of permitting documents to ensure smooth import operations for necessary equipment, facilities and personal property of members of sports delegations, media representatives, volunteers and other officials. The State Tourism Committee, the nation’s leader continued, must prepare for guests special magazines, brochures, travel guides, tourist maps of Turkmenistan and Ashgabat, as well as highly-qualified guides and interpreters, specialists in the field of hospitality and travel services. During the meeting, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov instructed to prepare a work program for domestic companies and firms, which provide support and assistance to members of the national team of Turkmenistan in various sports included in the program of the 2017 Asian Games. The President of Turkmenistan also highlighted that the State Customs Service should take the necessary measures to ensure smooth passage through customs for athletes - participants of the 2017 Asian Games, having given a number of issue-related instructions. Summing up the commissions given to the appropriate agencies on ensuring the well-organized 2017 Asian Games, the President of Turkmenistan gave the floor to some relevant executives participating in the meeting. The first speaker, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the V Asian Games D. Gulgeldiev informed that the first meeting of the Coordination Commission of the Olympic Council of Asia was held in Ashgabat on February 10-12 of the running year to discuss the issues of hosting the 2017 Asian Games. Then, Deputy Chairman of the Executive Committee of the V Asian Games Erol Tabanca reported on the completion of the first phase of the Olympic Park construction ahead of time. The second phase is in progress at a rapid pace, and in this connection, the construction of all buildings and facilities is planned to be completed ahead of schedule. It was also reported on the accelerated construction under way in the frames of the third phase. The report of Chairman of the State Sports Committee of Turkmenistan K. Seidov covered the ongoing active preparations for the 2017 Asian Games in close cooperation with the Olympic Council of Asia and other international sports organizations. In his turn, Rector of the National Sports and Tourism Institute of Turkmenistan A. Saryev focused on the program activities aimed to prepare Turkmen athletes for different level international competitions, to ensure active participation of students in world championships. The speaker assured that the Institute together with the relevant agencies would make every effort to enable students to achieve impressive results at the world level. After the meeting, the nation’s leader continued his get-acquainted tour and showed an interest in facilities of a restaurant, a tea-house and conference halls located on the second floor of the hotel, and their interior decoration. Then the head of state went up in an elevator to the 10th floor of the building where he surveyed the wide panorama of new buildings. Scores of the objects, equipped in compliance with all requirements of the International Olympic Committee for multi-purpose sports facilities are under construction in the capital’s Olympic Park. Among them are a 6,000-seat indoor cycle track; 5,000- and 15,000-seat indoor arenas, designed for holding competitions in sports martial arts and other sports; a 5,000-seat indoor athletics arena; a 5,000-seat indoor aquatics complex and an outdoor swimming pool; indoor and outdoor tennis courts with a seating capacity of 4,000 and 2,000 spectators respectively; a 45,000-seat Olympic Stadium, multifunctional sports grounds with 1,000-seat stands; open-air grounds for team events; small and large training halls. Moreover, the Olympic Park infrastructure includes a medical and rehabilitation center, a doping control center, an international broadcast and media center equipped with all necessary facilities, public cultural centers, a business center and other facilities. Along with this, the project provides for the construction of a number of comfortable hotels, (including for athletes). Restaurants, cafes, multi-level parking areas, monorail will be at the disposal of guests, as well. Then, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov looked over the 10th floor of the hotel, where there are a cozy 45-seat cafeteria, a 16-seat conference hall, and a 55-seat Executive Lounge. After ascending by elevator to the third floor, the nation’s leader visited several hotel rooms, which have all conditions provided for comfortable accommodation, recreation and creative work. Upon leaving the hotel, the head of state surveyed the territory of the complex with a number of newly built excellent sports arenas designed to hold competitions in different sports. On the way, the President of Turkmenistan got acquainted with the construction progress of the 45,000-seat Olympic Stadium. A number of project designs, including sketches of various elements of the Stadium were presented for consideration by the head of state. After examining the Olympic Stadium, which is to become one of the main arenas of the 2017 Asian Games and a venue for the solemn opening and closing ceremonies of the Games, the nation’s leader has emphasized the necessity of tooling it with the most advanced technical equipment, creating all favorable conditions for competitions, including in football and athletic sports, as well as for the convenience of athletes, coaches, and fans. Then, the President of Turkmenistan proceeded to the indoor aquatics complex under construction in the Olympic Park; 5,000 spectators would have an opportunity to watch swimming and diving competitions. The complex is home to four different-sized swimming pools, designed for holding competitions and training sessions of swimmers. The stands also have all necessary conditions provided for supporters. The new aquatics complex accommodates a sports therapy ground, a sports and fitness hall, comfortable changing rooms, a relaxation room for athletes, a medical aid room. Besides, the project includes a restaurant, a café, and a few cafeterias. Completing his get-acquainted trip to the Olympic Park, the head of Turkmenistan has noted that a little time is left until the V Asian Indoor Games and Martial Arts, once again having stressed the necessity of ensuring the fast-paced and perfect-quality construction of sports facilities, which are to be venues for the prestigious competitions.