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Winter Olympic Games

Figure Skater Shaidorov Delivers Gold for Kazakhstan at Winter Olympics

Mikhail Shaidorov of Kazakhstan won his country’s first gold medal in figure skating at the Winter Olympics, while the favorite, Ilia Malinin of the United States, finished eighth after falling twice during his program. Secured with five quadruple jumps, Shaidorov's unexpected win in Italy on Friday also marked the first gold medal for Kazakhstan in any sport at a Winter Olympics since the games in Lillehammer, Norway in 1994. In those games, Vladimir Smirnov came first in cross-country skiing. "To be honest, I still can't believe it. I struggled with myself throughout the season. This season was very tough for me,” Shaidorov said in comments posted on the Telegram channel of Kazakhstan’s Olympic team. “In competitions, I tried about three times to perform five consecutive quadruple jumps, but none were successful. But today, everything went well. I was lucky and managed to do it.” Shaidorov, 21, finished with a score of 291.58 in the men’s individual figure skating. Yuma Kagiyama and Shun Sato, both of Japan, won silver and bronze, with scores of 280.06 and 274.90, respectively. “The support from the fans in the stands was especially felt. Everything felt like a movie,” the gold medalist said. “This medal is very important both for me and for our country. I want figure skating to develop in Kazakhstan. I will put all my effort into this. I hope conditions will be created and opportunities given to the youth.” Shaidorov also paid tribute to Denis Ten, a Kazakhstani figure skater who won bronze at the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia in 2014 and was killed in an attempted robbery in Almaty in 2018. Ten was 25 years old. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan congratulated Shaidorov, noting that sports fans and others at home are proud of his achievement. “The Head of State decided to award Mikhail Shaidorov the Order of "Barys" II degree, and also expressed gratitude to the coaching staff, the Figure Skating Federation, and the leadership of the relevant ministry for their work,” the presidency said. The award that the skater will receive is one of Kazakhstan’s highest state honors. Malinin, the two-time defending world champion, struggled through his program, causing the crowd to hush and gasp as it became apparent that he would not live up to expectations. Earlier in the games, Malinin helped the United States win a team gold medal with a performance that included a rare backflip. His Russia-born parents, Tatiana Malinina and Roman Skorniakov, skated at the elite level for Uzbekistan for many years. Malinin and Shaidorov embraced after the final results of the individual contest. The American congratulated the Kazakhstani skater.

Society

On the Eve of Valentine’s Day: Customs of Love and Marriage in Central Asia

On the eve of Valentine’s Day, Central Asia is once again debating whether to celebrate the holiday or regard it as a symbol of foreign influence. Yet the region has its own rich and diverse customs related to love, matchmaking, and marriage. Accusations of Alien Influence and “Corruption” Valentine’s Day, like Halloween, spread to the former Soviet republics after the collapse of the USSR. In the first decades, young people embraced the new holidays. In recent years, however, critics have increasingly argued that commemorating a Catholic saint in a format centered on romantic love contradicts the traditions of the region’s peoples. For example, in Kazakhstan last year, deputies of the Mazhilis, the lower house of parliament, sharply criticized Valentine’s Day. Some deputies argued that it corrupts young people, promotes “free love,” and even carries “homosexual overtones.” It is worth noting that Kazakhstan recently adopted legislation prohibiting so-called “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations.” The Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan has also stated that Valentine’s Day promotes alien values and encourages promiscuity. Gratitude for Raising a Daughter Many matchmaking and marriage customs remain common across Central Asia, particularly the significant role of the bride’s and groom’s parents in ceremonies and celebrations. While traditions have evolved, many are still practiced in modern engagements and weddings. The well-known custom of paying bride price, kalym, has been preserved, though it has undergone significant change. Today, kalym varies depending on the wealth of the families. It may include apartments or cars, or it may amount to several hundred dollars. Importantly, kalym is now generally regarded as financial support for the young family and, as a rule, remains at the disposal of the bride and groom. Historically, in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, kalym was paid in livestock, and wedding celebrations could last more than a month. One of the main Kazakh wedding rituals is the groom’s visit to the bride’s village or, in modern practice, her home. Before his first visit, the groom sends gifts to the bride’s family, known as Ilu, an expression of gratitude for raising their daughter. In some regions of Kazakhstan, this ritual is called ana suty (“mother’s milk payment”). In the past, it included horses, camels, sheep, and riding equipment for the bride’s father. Today, it may consist of any valuable gift, and jewelry is often presented to the women in the bride’s family. The bride traditionally gives the groom a scarf as a symbol of her purity. Festivities then begin, with singing and dancing. Kazakh traditions often involve two weddings: one at the bride’s home and one at the groom’s. The bride’s farewell from her family home remains especially significant, reflecting her relatives’ wishes for her future life. Today, this ceremony is often held in a restaurant. The bride does not wear a white wedding dress at the farewell celebration but appears in an elegant outfit and a traditional headdress known as a saukele. During the farewell, the groom and his friends are subjected to playful pranks, for which they must...

Tourism

Kyrgyzstan Moves to Expand Domestic and International Rail Tourism

Rail transport is expected to play a greater role in Kyrgyzstan’s tourism strategy as authorities seek to promote railways as an affordable and comfortable travel option for both domestic and international visitors. On February 11, the national railway operator Kyrgyz Temir Jolu and the Tourism Development Support Fund of the Kyrgyz Republic signed a memorandum of cooperation aimed at the sustainable development of domestic and international tourism through rail infrastructure and passenger services. The agreement provides for joint promotional campaigns and coordinated railway tourism projects. According to Kyrgyz Temir Jolu Chief Executive Officer Azamat Sakiev, rail-based tourism has demonstrated steady growth since the launch of dedicated tourist trains in partnership with travel companies in 2021. He said the company is prioritizing domestic routes while working to restore demand for cross-border rail travel. New routes are planned for this year, alongside continued modernization of rolling stock. Refurbished railcars featuring traditional interior design have already entered service, aimed at strengthening the country’s tourism brand and enhancing the passenger experience. Following the upgrades, the company reports a noticeable increase in traveler interest. Kyrgyz Temir Jolu has introduced luxury and VIP compartment cars on the Bishkek-Balykchy line serving the Issyk-Kul region. Last year, the route was extended to the Balykchy Beach stop, providing passengers with direct access to the lakeshore during the summer tourist season. In 2025, the route carried 116,122 passengers, up 31% compared to 2024. Kyrgyzstan’s rail network remains limited, largely reflecting Soviet-era infrastructure. The main line runs from the Kazakh border through Bishkek to Balykchy. Despite these constraints, the country hosted 27 international tourist trains between 2022 and 2025, bringing visitors from Europe, Asia, and the United States, indicating growing global interest in rail-based travel to Kyrgyzstan. Rail tourism is also expanding at the regional level. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan recently extended their joint Jibek Joly tourist train route to include Dushanbe, strengthening cross-border rail tourism links in Central Asia. Meanwhile, British operator Golden Eagle Luxury Trains has launched The Grand Silk Road, a 22-day luxury rail journey connecting major Silk Road destinations across the region.

Healthcare

Uzbekistan and Russia to Develop Nuclear Medicine Strategy Ahead of 2026 Center Opening

Uzbekistan will develop a roadmap and long-term strategy for the advancement of nuclear medicine, according to the press service of the Atomic Energy Agency under the Cabinet of Ministers, Uzatom. The announcement followed a working meeting held on February 10 at Uzatom to discuss prospects for expanding nuclear medicine in the country. The meeting brought together representatives of the Ministry of Health, the Healthcare Projects Center, the Committee for Industrial, Radiation and Nuclear Safety, the Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Academy of Sciences, the state enterprise Radiopreparat, leading medical centers, and experts from Rosatom’s engineering division, underscoring growing cooperation between Uzbekistan and Russia in the sector. During the discussions, the Russian side presented its experience in building modern nuclear medicine infrastructure, including cyclotron complexes, radiopharmaceutical production facilities, and PET/CT diagnostic centers, as well as implementing turnkey international projects. Following the talks, the parties agreed to jointly draft a roadmap and strategy that will provide a framework for technology transfer, specialist training, and improvements in healthcare services. The initiative is intended to strengthen early cancer diagnosis and expand access to advanced treatment methods based on nuclear technologies. The construction of a Nuclear Medicine Center in Tashkent has begun. The center is scheduled to be equipped in 2026 with PET/CT scanners, a cyclotron, a radiopharmaceutical laboratory, as well as Gamma Knife and CyberKnife systems. The broader program also involves upgrading oncology services, promoting early cancer detection, training medical personnel to international standards, and deepening cooperation with Russia and Rosatom. Uzatom stated that it will continue to support the introduction of advanced technologies aimed at improving access to modern cancer diagnostics and treatment. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, citing IQVIA data, Uzbekistan’s pharmaceutical market reached $2.14 billion in the twelve months to September 2025, reflecting continued expansion and rising demand for medical services.

Population

Uzbekistan’s Population Reaches 38.2 Million Despite Second Year of Declining Birth Rate

Uzbekistan’s permanent population stood at 38,236,704 as of January 1, 2026, marking a nearly 85% increase since independence, according to data released by the National Statistics Committee. In 1991, when Uzbekistan gained independence, the population was approximately 20.6 million. Over the past 35 years, the country has added 17.6 million people, a steady demographic expansion. However, the latest figures suggest emerging shifts in birth rate trends. In 2025, the number of registered births totaled 879,500, a 5.1% decrease compared to 2024, or 46,800 fewer births year-on-year. This marks the second consecutive annual decline in the national birth rate. Economist Mirkomil Kholboyev, writing on his “Mirkonomika” channel, cautioned against drawing premature conclusions. “Births have declined for the second year in a row,” he wrote. “Since the overall fertility indicators have not yet been updated, it is difficult to determine whether the 2025 decline is mainly due to a smaller cohort of people of childbearing age, or to changes in reproductive decisions.” The decline has also become more geographically widespread. In 2025, 179 districts and cities recorded a drop in births, the highest number in 15 years, compared to 155 districts in 2024. These areas accounted for a combined reduction of 48,400 births, representing approximately 90% of all registered births nationwide. By contrast, only 25 districts recorded an increase in births in 2025, with a total gain of 1,722. For comparison, in 2024, birth increases in growing districts totaled 9,000 and represented 24% of all births, while in 2025 that share fell sharply to 8.6%.

Winter Olympic Games

Parents of Olympic Gold Medalist Ilia Malinin Skated for Uzbekistan

Known as the “Quad God,” American figure skater Ilia Malinin helped the United States win a team gold medal at the Winter Olympics with a performance that included a rare backflip. The young star is building on a family legacy: his Russia-born parents, Tatiana Malinina and Roman Skorniakov, skated at the elite level for Uzbekistan for many years. “It runs in the family,” the Olympic Games organization said on social media. Malinina, 53, and Skorniakov, 49, decided to compete in figure skating for Uzbekistan after its independence from the Soviet Union, which collapsed in 1991. They represented the country at the Winter Olympics at Nagano, Japan in 1998 and Salt Lake City in the United States in 2002. Both were national champions in Uzbekistan and the couple coached each other at one point. They moved to the United States and got jobs as skating coaches in Virginia. Their pupils included son Ilia, who was born in the U.S. in 2004 and took up skating when he was a young boy. Malinin, 21, got the “Quad God” nickname because of his ability to perform the extremely difficult quadruple axel jump. But it was his team event backflip, a move that was once banned partly because it was considered too dangerous, that really fired up the crowd in Milan on Sunday. He stuck the landing on one skate. Tennis champion Novak Djokovic was in the audience and put his hands on his head in awe after Malinin’s daring maneuver on the ice. Malinin’s grandfather on his mother’s side was also a figure skater. His younger sister has also competed in the sport. His mother Tatiana Malinina said that she and her husband initially didn’t want their son to get serious about figure skating. After all, they were well aware of the time, sacrifice and dedication that is required to succeed at the highest level. “When our son was born, we were thinking, ‘Oh no, we’re not going to do this anymore,´” Malinina said in an International Skating Union interview. But young Ilia would show up at the skating rink, making his own programs to music. His parents taught him a few things but didn’t push him. Over time, the young boy’s talent, discipline and focus on excellence became apparent. Now Malinin is the two-time defending world champion. At a news conference last week, ahead of the Winter Olympics, he said he had been learning how to handle expectations and use them to channel his motivation and deliver on the ice. “I’m honestly thankful for all the pressure and the attention,” Malinin said.