Kazakhstan signs host country agreement for 2029 Winter Asian Games
Images | olympic.kz
The Winter Asian Games are returning to Kazakhstan in nearly two decades, after the host country agreement has been signed in Milan confirming Kazakhstan as the host of the 2029 Games, Qazinform News Agency reports.
The host country agreement was signed between the Olympic Council of Asia and the National Olympic Committee of Kazakhstan at a ceremony attended by the Committee’s President Gennady Golovkin.
In 2022, the Olympic Council of Asia originally awarded the rights to host the 2029 Winter Asian Games to Saudi Arabia. Last month, the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee and the Olympic Council of Asia announced the suspension of the 2029 Winter Asian Games for an indefinite period.
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Day 3 Roundup: Gremaud defends slopestyle crown, Leerdam smashes Olympic record at Milan-Cortina
Images | Xinhua/Zhang Hongxiang
Swiss freestyle skier Mathilde Gremaud successfully defended her title in the women's slopestyle on Monday at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, while Dutch speed skater Jutta Leerdam claimed her first Olympic gold in a record-breaking performance in the women's 1,000 meters, Xinhua reports.
Gremaud delivered under pressure after China's Gu Ailing led with 86.58 points in the opening run. The Swiss responded with a strong second run, scoring 86.96 points to edge Gu by 0.38 points and secure the gold medal.
She was maybe missing one bigger trick on the first jump and that would have been game over for me," Gremaud said. "I believe she knew she was better on the rails and I knew I was better on the jumps."
That was definitely the most intense run I've ever done," the 26-year-old added.
Falling short again to Gremaud after Beijing 2022, Gu said, "I think it's kind of funny that both Olympics we were within half a point of one another. If anything, I think it's just testament to the growth of women's free skiing. It's so special to be a part of that."
In speed skating, Leerdam set a new Olympic record of 1:12.31 to win the women's 1,000m, 0.28 seconds ahead of her compatriot Femke Kok, while Beijing 2022 champion Miho Takagi of Japan claimed bronze in 1:13.95, her eighth medal across five Games. China's Yin Qi and Han Mei placed 12th and 13th respectively among the 30 participants.
Skating in the final pair, Leerdam, Olympic silver medalist from four years ago, took control early and extended her lead over the final 400 meters. Kok had broken the previous Olympic mark held by Takagi at Beijing 2022.
I have won a lot of things in my career. I am a world champion, but I have never been an Olympic champion before, so this was really something that was still missing. So it feels very complete, it feels surreal," Leerdam said.
I did a lot of good races this year, so I was kind of also the favorite. That is not always easy going into the Olympics. I tried to use the pressure to my advantage and let it make me even sharper than normal," she added.
Switzerland added another gold in alpine skiing as Franjo von Allmen and Tanguy Nef mounted a comeback to win the men's team combined event, which made its debut on Olympic program. It also marked Von Allmen's second gold at Milan-Cortina, after he claimed the Games' opening gold in Saturday's downhill race.
Two gold medals are crazy. This one is a little bit more special because I wouldn't have made it on my own today," Von Allmen said afterward. "I can really say thank you to Tanguy - he made the difference today."
Germany's Philipp Raimund captured gold in the men's normal hill ski jumping event with 274.1 points. "It feels absolutely amazing. It is the biggest achievement of my life, the best day of my life so far," he said.
Japan's Kokomo Murase claimed gold in the women's snowboard big air with 179.00 points. Zoi Sadowski-Synnott of New Zealand earned silver, while South Korea's Yu Seung-eun took bronze. China's Zhang Xiaonan finished fifth in her Olympic debut, matching the country's best result in the event.
It's a gold medal that brings me immense joy. The moment when winning Olympic gold, something I've long aspired to, became a reality," Murase said.
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Kazakhstan strikes 6 golds at Boxam Elite 2026 in Spain
Images | olympic.kz
Kazakhstan’s national team has wrapped up its campaign at the major international boxing tournament, Boxam Elite 2026, in La Nucía, Spain, winning six gold medals, Qazinform News Agency reports, citing the National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
In total, Kazakh boxers claimed 17 medals at the tournament.
Sanzhar Tashkenbay (50 kg), Makhmud Sabyrkhan (55 kg), Torekhan Sabyrkhan (70 kg), Nurbek Oralbay (85 kg), Aibek Oralbay (+90 kg), and Umida Sadykova (+80 kg) claimed the gold medals.
Silver medals were won by Aman Konsbekov (75 kg), Sagyndyk Togambay (90 kg), Nurassyl Assylkhan (+90 kg), Panar Seiitkhankyzy (+80 kg), and Nazerke Serik (65 kg).
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Olympic Games 2026: Morozova finishes in the top five in speed skating
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Kazakhstan's Nadezhda Morozova entered top 5 in the women’s 3,000-meter speed skating at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Qazinform News Agency reports.
The Kazakhstani speed skater raced in the seventh pair, clocking 4:01.20 to move into provisional first place.
After all competitors had completed the race (a total of 10 pairs), Morozova’s final result was confirmed as fifth place.
Another Kazakh skater, Elizaveta Golubeva, finished the distance in 4:03.31, placing 10th.
Italy’s Francesca Lollobrigida won the gold medal with an Olympic record. Silver went to Norway’s Ragne Wiklund, while Canada’s Valerie Maltais claimed bronze.
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Highlights of Milan-Cortina 2026 on Feb. 6
Figure skating and women’s ice hockey took center stage on February 6 at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. In the team figure skating event, pairs from the United States, Poland, and Japan delivered strong performances in the short program, while Alysa Liu (USA), Sakamoto Kaori (Japan), and Italy’s Lara Naki Gutmann competed in the women’s singles short program, Xinhua reports.
In women’s ice hockey Group B action, Japan and France faced off in a spirited preliminary round match, with both teams celebrating goals and showcasing dynamic play, highlighted by key saves from French goalkeeper Alice Philbert.
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Olympic flame lit in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo
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The flame of the XXV Olympic Winter Games 2026 was lit on February 7 in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, iz.ru reports.
The cup at the Peace Arch in Milan was lit by three-time Olympic alpine skiing champions Alberto Tomba and Deborah Compagnoni.
In Cortina d'Ampezzo, the cup was lit by Italian alpine skier Sofia Goji.
Sport-Express reported earlier in the day that Milan hosted the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics, which will last until February 22.
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Promotion of Kazakhstan’s Tourism Potential at European Largest Basketball Competition
Images | gov.kz
As part of one of Europe’s largest sporting events, the EuroLeague basketball match between Belgrade’s Partizan and Athens’ Panathinaikos, a presentation of Kazakhstan’s tourism potential was held, along with the promotion of the recently launched direct air route Astana-Belgrade, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.
At the initiative of the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Serbia, an interactive promotion was organized among the 18,000 spectators at the Belgrade Arena. Randomly selected fans were given the opportunity to take part in a free-throw shooting contest offered by the Partizan basketball club.
The prize for the winner - a certificate for a tourist trip to Kazakhstan for two - was presented by the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Serbia, Madi Atamkulov. Congratulating the winner, the Kazakh diplomat greeted the multi-thousand audience and invited to visit Kazakhstan.
The atmosphere of the contest was enhanced by tourism videos titled "Born Bold Kazakhstan" broadcast on the arena’s screens, a promotional video of the direct Astana-Belgrade flight launched by Kazakhstan’s airline SCAT Airlines, as well as girls in traditional Kazakh national costumes who distributed "Born Bold Kazakhstan" T-shirts and baseball caps among basketball fans.
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2026 Olympics Opening Ceremony to Take Place on the Night of February 6-7
Images | Sports.kz
The 2026 Winter Olympic Games will officially open today, February 6, in Italy, Qazinform News Agency reports, citing the National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 00:00 Astana time.
A total of 36 Kazakh athletes will compete in ten sports at the Games, with the first competitions featuring Kazakhstan’s team set for February 7.
The Olympics will be broadcast live on the Qazsport, Qazaqstan, Jibek Joly and Khabar TV channels.
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