Preparations for the Asian Winter Games 2011_english

The Asian Games, also called the Asiad, is a multi-sport event held every four years among athletes from all over Asia. The games are regulated by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) under the supervision of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Medals are awarded in each event, with gold for first place, silver for second and bronze for third, a tradition which started in 1951. The 7th Asian Winter Games will be held in two cities Astana and Almaty, Kazakhstan. The most important event of the forthcoming Asian Games is the opening ceremony, which will be held on January 30 at the new football stadium in Astana. The ceremony will be the most vivid and spectacular event in the history of sovereign Kazakhstan and in the history of the Asian Winter Games. Officials, heads of friendly states, presidents of the International Olympic Committee and Olympic Council of Asia and other distinguished guests will attend the ceremony. Until the closing ceremony on February 6 at the Sports Palace named a