Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Anatoly Tozik visited the Republican Olympic Training Center (RTSOP) winter sports "Raubichi" and inspected its readiness to host the World Cup 2015 Biathlon Championships, BelTA learned from the press service Ministry of Sport and Tourism.
Anatoly Tozik examined the main objects of the sports complex, including one of the hotels, biathlon stadium, referee pavilion, a medical center, accompanied by Minister of Sports and Tourism Alexander Shamko, Director RTSOP winter sports Andrew Astashevich, management and representatives of construction companies, the Belarusian Biathlon Federation.
The Deputy Prime Minister noted the very high readiness "Raubichi" for the forthcoming high level competitions. According to him, there are some flaws, but the time to address them enough. Anatoly Tozik noted that a lot of work on repair and reconstruction of the sports complex, emphasizing that Belarus has repeatedly demonstrated the ability to efficiently and orderly conduct at international sporting events.
Large starts are very important from an economic perspective, since in this context, developing infrastructure, hotels and restaurants are built, roads and, in general, improved services, said Deputy Prime Minister. After such events in Belarus reluctant investors, because they see that the government is very serious about this project, and tourists with an interest in the competition, and come after their completion, said Anatoly Tozik.
Republican Olympic Training Center for winter sports "Raubichi" was commissioned in February 1974. Center for training and competitions in biathlon, cross-country skiing and Nordic combined, Ski jumping, slalom, speed skating, freestyle skiing, snowboarding. Sports Complex hosted the Biathlon World Championships in 1974, 1976, 1982 and 1990 European Biathlon Championship in 1998 and 2004, FIS Cross-Country World Cup in 1991 and European Cup freestyle in 1995 and 2006. For the World Cup Biathlon in 1982 sports complex "Raubichi" marked the golden sign UIPMB. In 1996, the International Biathlon Union awarded category A sports complex, issuing a license for a higher level of competition without any exceptions. World Cup Biathlon Youth and Junior will be held in "Raubichi" from 15 to 22 February 2015. And already from February 25 to March 1 next year will be held here the World Cup freestyle.
Anatoly Tozik also visited the construction site sports facilities - freestyle center, which is being built in Minsk Surhanau Street, where he held a working meeting with representatives of design and construction companies, said the task of introducing it into operation.
Freestyle center will be of a complex divided into several areas: sports, entertainment and health. Sports area includes a swimming pool 20x30 m with depth in the area of ski jumping 5 m freestyle in the area - 4 m springboard of the zone and training for athletes (trampolining hall). Pool equipped with air bags for safe landing freestylers. It provides opportunity for training athletes in synchronized swimming, is a complex of ski jumps and towers for training and members of national teams in freestyle and diving. The entertainment area offers swimming pools for children, adolescents and adults. The wellness area will include rooms for dance, aerobics, weight training, gym, saunas and other facilities therein. Sports area is separated from the center of entertainment and health.