January 31. Men’s speed skating. 5,000 meters:
1. Davide Giotto (Italy) – 6:51.64
2. Seitaro Ichinohe (Japan) – 6:52.94
3. Linus Heidegger (Austria) – 6:55.46
Today, men competed at the distance of 5,000 meters. Albeit being light, the snowfall did not subside. Abosede Olugboynwa, the doctor of the British team, confirmed her team’s excellent health. She also noted that they were ready to do their best. As far as the Kazakhstani doctors are concerned, their main goal is to assist the athletes and spectators, if the latter require assistance. Sergey Kotov, the manager of the venue, noted that doctors, traumatologists, surgeons, nurses and even an emergency brigade are at Medeu. To everyone’s luck, both the athletes and the spectators were all right. Many residents of Almaty came to Medeu with their children so that the latter could become acquainted with the sport. Botagoz Zhandarbekova came to the rink with her husband and their two children. She is an expert in logistics, and loves sport as well as other members of her family.
“We’ve bought hockey tickets. Now we have come to watch the speed skaters,” she said.
The speed skaters were fast today, despite the snowfall. Davide Giotoo from Italy, Seitaro Ichinohe from Japan and Linus Heidegger from Austria became the top three athletes.
Representatives of Krasnoyarsk where the next Winter Universiade will take place came to Almaty to learn more about the experience of hosting the event.
“I represent the sport department of Krasnoyarsk. It doesn’t concern us at all that the competition is taking place on an outdoor arena. In Krasnoyarsk region, even the World Championship took place on an outdoor rink,” said Artyom Zhogov.
