The Romanian vloggers who approached the Grandios Stadium in Aşgabat, one of the most mysterious and inaccessible cities in the world

In 2017, Turkmenistan hosted the Asian games in the hall and martial arts (Aimag), on which occasion the Ashgabat Olympic Complex was inaugurated, a huge sports area, over 1,466 hectares, transformed into a real city in the city. The central stadium was filmed by the Romanian “Haihui in two”.

Photo gallery. The Romanian Vlogiers who approached the stadium in the mysterious city of Agabat, the capital of Turkmenistan

At the center of this complex is the Aşgabat Olympic Stadium, a spectacular 45,000 seater arena, built by the Turkish company Polimeks, with a huge Ahal-Teke horse-shaped structure, the national symbol of Turkmenistan.

The total investment has exceeded $ 5 billion, and the infrastructure includes:

• Over 30 sports facilities (rooms, swimming pools, martial arts, cycling or indoor athletics);

• Hotels, media centers, conference rooms and sports clinics;

• An internal fast transport network, including private subway lines for athletes and officials.

However, despite these impressive figures, access to Europeans and foreign journalists is almost impossible. The Turkmen regime requires difficult visas, strict control of travel and checks at every step, which makes Aşgabat one of the most isolated cities on the planet.

The Olympic city, an empty “paradise”

The Olympic Complex also houses Ashgabat Stadium, an arena of 45,000 seats, intended for football and athletics, used by the clubs in Yokary Liga, the first Turkmen league.

Although the infrastructure rivals with that of countries in the world top, reality is different:

• The stands are almost empty at matches;

• The transmissions are strictly controlled;

• The access of the foreign public is limited;

• Photography is forbidden without official approval.

According to the youtube channel Haahui in two, who managed to document the rare access of tourists in the capital, the city seems to be impressed, but deserted.

“Theoretically, we had to visit this sports complex. Unfortunately, we cannot. We admire it from a distance. It's a colossus!”, They transmitted Vlogiers with over 530,000 followers on YouTube.

Symbol of the grandeur of the regime

For the regime in Aşgabat, sport has become a propaganda tool. The stadium and the Olympic complex are presented as evidence of the “greatness of the nation”.

All, however, under absolute control: in 2017, at Asian games, the international press was severely restricted, and the athletes were not allowed to interact with journalists or the public.

Stadium remained deserted after Asian games

The 2017 event was by far the largest in Turkmenistan's history – over 60 participating countries, including some of Oceania, for the first time.

Competitions were played at:

• Martial arts (Taekwondo, Jiu-Jitsu, Kuras, Muay Thai);

• Athletics, swimming, indoor cycling, sports dance, chess;