OREANDA-NEWS. March 31, 2011. Dmitry Medvedev viewed the new multifunctional Yantar sports centre in Moscow’s Strogino area and discussed the development of national sports with Russian athletes.

The President was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Russian Olympic Committee Alexander Zhukov, Minister of Sport, Tourism and Youth Policy Vitaly Mutko and Mayor of Moscow Sergei Sobyanin.

The subject specifically discussed was preparations for the 2011 World Figure Skating Championship which will take place in late April in Moscow after its cancellation in Japan. Dmitry Medvedev was informed that all aspects of organising the event have been resolved and Moscow City Government has allocated sufficient resources and is ready to receive 6,000 visitors, while Foreign Ministry is making arrangements to facilitate visa procedures for foreign guests of the Championship.

When touring the sports centre, the President watched students from a youth sports school train in synchronised swimming, attended figure skating, ice hockey and soccer classes, and tennis and swimming training sessions for athletes with disabilities.

Built in 2010, Yantar (Amber) multifunctional sports centre has its own ice arena, large and children's swimming pools, a choreography studio and a gym, and houses four children's and youth sports schools funded from the municipal budget.