Olympics-Almaty 2022 Winter Olympics bid

KUALA LUMPUR, July 30 (Reuters) - Facts about Almaty, which is bidding, along with Beijing, to host the 2022 Winter Olympics. The International Olympic Committee will elect the winning city on Friday. Population: 1.6 million, the largest city of Kazakhstan Location: at the foot of the Tien Shan mountains Altitude: 1,700m Past Olympic experience: none. City bid unsuccessfully for the 2014 winter Olympics. Games concept: compact plan with all venues within a 35km radius of the city. Number of Olympic villages: three Slogan: "Keeping it Real" Biggest advantages: traditional winter sports city, plenty of natural snow, mountains around the city. Biggest drawbacks: limited experience with international sports events, little international recognition Fun fact: Almaty translates as "Forefather of apples." (Reporting by Karolos Grohmann; Editing by Julian Linden)