Ukraine's Major Euro-2012 Arena Reopens After Grand Renovation

KYIV, Ukraine, October 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

The premium class sports complex Olympiysky in the heart of the Ukrainian capital reopens after a major reconstruction.  One of the world's largest sports venues will host the final match of the top level football event - the 2012 UEFA European Football Championship. The opening featured many high profile guests including the President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych, Prime Minister Mykola Azarov, Ukrainian football star Andriy Shevchenko, boxing world champion Vitaly Klitchko, as well as pop diva Shakira, who gave a concert at the stadium.  

The renewed stadium can now seat 70 thousand viewers and is equipped with most recent technological solutions: fire-resistant seats, transparent ultra-light membrane roof with teflon coating, as well as two largest in Ukraine LED screens, 1109 square feet, capable of rendering 4,4 trillion colors.

The grass, placed on the field this September, has been grown abroad for over two years. The seats are identical to the ones installed at London's Wembley and Olympic Stadiums.

"Today, after the reconstruction NSC Olimpiysky is the most up-to-date and the best stadium in the world," shared the celebrated Ukrainian sportsman and current WBC champion Vitaly Klitchko.

The opening of the National Sports Arena featured performances by over 2,500 volunteers and 500 professionals including the world famous circus Sonics and a pop singer Shakira. The newly appointed member of the U.S. President Barack Obama's advisory commission on Hispanic education, the world known singer Shakira performed several of her most known hits Loca, Whenever Wherever, Hips Don't Lie, and the anthem of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Waka Waka (This Time for Africa).

Ukraine is co-hosting EURO 2012 together with Poland. The neighboring countries jointly applied for the opportunity to host the grand sports event and in April of 2007 got the right to host EURO 2012. The tournament will start on June 8, 2012, and conclude on July 1, 2012.

In Ukraine, the UEFA Championship will take place at the stadiums of four major cities. Besides Kyiv, the Western Ukrainian Lviv and two Eastern Ukrainian cities Donets'k and Kharkiv will also host the football championship. Donbass Arena in Donets'k and Kyiv's NSK Olimpiysky are already functioning while the two remaining Ukrainian EURO-2012 venues will open their doors within a month.