Cookson boosts Turkmenistan's chances of hosting World Track Championships
President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov expresses his desire to host sporting events like the World Track Championships to raise the profile of the country
UCI president Brian Cookson has backed Turkmenistan in its bid to host the World Track Championships, but says the country may be best off hosting smaller events before aiming for the big one.
Turkmenistan president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov told the Olympic Council of Asia that he wants to raise the profile of his country through sport, as shown by the development of a $5bn Olympic complex in the capital Ashgabat.
>>> London Track World Championships rearranged to avoid rugby clash
The country already boasts one of the largest velodromes in the world, with the Ashgabat Sports Complex track capable of holding 6,000 spectators, and Cookson welcomes the country's desire to host international track cycling.
Mark Cavendish discusses the London Six Day
“There’s a superb velodrome there, a huge building that is completely unused at the moment,” Cookson told insidethegames.
“There is a wonderful opportunity to put on events there, I know they are very keen on putting forward a bid for the World Track Championships.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
“The President of the Republic was at the OCA Congress and he spoke very favourably about the idea of having a World Track Cycling Championships there and it is something we can do.
“Maybe we would like them to have some experience first, perhaps with a junior World Championships, as Kazakhstan did earlier this year."
As insidethegames reports, Turkmenistan would be only the second Asian nation to hold the World Track Championships, after the Japanese city of Maebashi hosted the event in 1990.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.