Concerning this topic, you may notice that the Vice President, Mr Espeli, liked the following post: (translated)
New future for the classic track in Medeo?
In February 2025, Medeo started a three-year renovation period to meet international standards for speed skating, figure skating, bandy and other events. (AI)
Interestingly, I read on schaatsforum today that the ISU has sent letters to the mayor of Almaty and the Minister of Sports in Kazakhstan regarding renovation. Should this dialogue be interpreted as the ISU wanting to see major Events held there in the future? I am thinking of both the World Allround and -Sprint Championships and World Cup Events, but perhaps especially the "Outdoor Allround Classics":
An idea that the ISU launched last year, where Medeo was specifically mentioned. Other details were not made public, except that this Event is envisioned as a mass event.
This idea caused the Netherlands to withdraw its proposal at the last Congress to hold the Allround and Sprint World Championships every season instead of just every other season as it is now.
The ISU has hinted at "major changes" to the calendar (not this season). The World Cup Events today have become too massive. Countries travel with too many skaters. The center of gravity of the sport has shifted eastwards. The calendar is too "Europe-centric".
To be continued.