Medeo
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The Medeo (Kazakh Медеу, which would be more properly spelled Medew to suit the correct pronunciation) outdoor speed skating rink, also called Medew speed skating rink, is one of the most famous ice rinks in the world, located on the mountainous outskirts of Almaty, Kazakhstan. It sits 1,691 metres above sea level and utilizes a sophisticated freezing and watering system to ensure the quality of the ice. It has seen many world records in all the speed skating distances from 1951 through the 1980s: 500 m, 1000 m, 1500 m, 3000 m, 5000 m and the 10000 m. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the costs to uphold the arena as a top speed skating rink have proved too costly for the independent Republic of Kazakhstan. The last great championship event on this ice rink was held in 1988 -- the Men's World Speed Skating Championship -- which was won by the American skater Eric Flaim.
Its future status as a competition rink is uncertain; however it was proposed as the speed skating venue in Almaty's unsuccessful bid for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games. Moreover, the rink has been used as the general venue for the Voice of Asia music festival since the birth of the festival.
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