Celebrates with the citizens of Sverdlovsk, Lyudmila Babushka on Physical Culture Day
In the heart of Russia, Sverdlovsk Oblast is making strides in promoting sports and physical culture, with over 86,000 residents participating in the performance of standards in 2021. Every fourth participant received a gold badge of GTO, a recognition of their dedication and achievement.
The region saw approximately 20,000 physical culture and sports events unfold throughout the year, reflecting an active and vibrant sports scene. This engagement extends beyond adults, with over 1.1 million children and youth participating as well.
Sverdlovsk Oblast is a key player in Russia's efforts to increase sports participation nationwide. Currently, about 63.3% of the Russian population engages regularly in sports, with a target of 70% by 2030. Rural participation is lower, partly due to infrastructure and staffing shortages, but Sverdlovsk Oblast is actively involved in federal programmes to enhance rural sports.
The regional stage of the "KARDO" sport and street culture event, which saw around 2000 participants and spectators, is a testament to the local enthusiasm for both traditional sports and modern urban disciplines. This event feeds into larger national finals, fostering a competitive sports culture.
The sports industry in Sverdlovsk Oblast is flourishing, with over 15,000 specialists working in the field. The Russian sportswear market, including regions like Sverdlovsk, is expanding, with domestic manufacturers and parallel imports driving growth. The overall sportswear sales in Russia increased 29% over two years, reaching 31.8 million units in 2023.
Sverdlovsk Oblast is also a pilot region for the revival of the "Ready for Labor and Defense" (GTO) complex, a historical physical activity complex aimed at promoting fitness and readiness. Although there is no explicit mention of the GTO complex revival in the region, the focus on increasing sports participation and strengthening physical culture infrastructure aligns with broader national efforts.
The region hosts many large-scale competitions, with athletes from 28 countries participating in international competitions held in Sverdlovsk Oblast in 2021. The development of mass and professional sports, and the creation of sports infrastructure, are given great attention in Sverdlovsk Oblast.
Lyudmila Babushkina, Chairman of the Legislative Assembly of Sverdlovsk Oblast, congratulates residents on the Day of Physical Culture, recognising the importance of sports and physical culture in the region's development. The current state of sports and physical culture in Sverdlovsk Oblast reflects active participation, organised competitions, ongoing development of the sports industry, and initiatives for the revival of historical physical activity complexes.
Sports events in Sverdlovsk Oblast saw a grand total of approximately 20,000 occurrences throughout the year, showcasing a thriving sports scene. This active participation extends to children and youth, with over 1.1 million joining in the fun.
