Russia is to build the world's first sports arena on permafrost in its northeastern Siberian Republic of Yakutia by 2012, a spokesman for the republic said on Thursday. The regional capital, Yakutsk, is the world's largest city build on continuous permafrost, and the concrete pylons that will be used in the construction of the arena are widely used in building projects in the city. "This unique sports and entertainment complex, able to house over 3,000 people, will be built in Yakutsk on the shore of Lake Saisary for the Fifth Children of Asia International Sports Games, to be held in Yakutia in 2013," the source said. Construction is scheduled to begin this April, he said. The Children of Asia International Sports Games were launched in Yakutia in 1996. The Games are held under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee and the president of Russia. The organization committee of the Games is set to make the event an official qualifying competition for Youth Olympics.
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