Putin supported the idea of ​​resuming sports parades on Red Square

Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke at the plenary session of the XI International Sports Forum “Russia – a Sports Power”, which takes place in Perm on October 19-22. The President supported the idea of ​​resuming sports parades on Red Square and declaring 2024 the Year of Sports. During his speech, he also touched on the topics of the Olympic movement, the development of sports in Russia and the holding of the BRICS Games in Kazan in 2024. Vedomosti collected the main statements of the president.

The President supported the idea of ​​resuming sports parades on Red Square and declaring 2024 the Year of Sports. During his speech, he also touched on the topics of the Olympic movement, the development of sports in Russia and the holding of the BRICS Games in Kazan in 2024. Vedomosti collected the main statements of the president.

Putin noted that today Russian athletes are being tested for cohesion and loyalty to the “true values ​​of sport.” He recalled that Russia “stood at the origins of the modern Olympic movement” and emphasized that the Olympic principles remain unshakable for it. At the same time, the leadership of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) considers an invitation to the Games to be “a certain privilege” that can be earned through “political gestures,” Putin said.

“The Games themselves can be used as a tool of political pressure against people who have nothing to do with politics, and as crude and, in fact, racist, ethnic discrimination,” the president continued.

In addition, the Olympic Charter is outdated, Putin believes. According to him, sports officials “arrogated to themselves the right to determine who it applies to, <...> and to whom – no.” Putin recalled that the meaning of sport lies in its “unifying power.” He added that this value “cannot be betrayed, canceled, exchanged for something or sold.” The head of state said that sport is an “absolute state priority” for Russia, and emphasized that the state supports athletes who are forced to miss competitions.

Putin also promised to pay attention to mass sports in Russia.

“Our goal is to involve 70% of Russian citizens in systematic sports by 2030, that is, to make sports a norm of life for 93 million people, of all ages and health groups,” he said.

According to the president, all conditions are being created for this. There are now 353,000 sports facilities in the country, but this is still not enough “for such a large country as Russia,” he said.

In addition, the authorities plan to increase the number of competitions at various levels – both all-Russian and international. Putin noted that Russia has everything for this: the presence of successful experience in hosting major competitions, sports complexes and stadiums equipped in accordance with international standards, as well as its own sports arbitration.

“Russia is ready and will interact with everyone who shares the traditional values ​​and principles of sports, who values ​​these values,” the head of state noted.

Later, on the sidelines of the forum, the head of the International Boxing Association, Umar Kremlev, proposed declaring 2024 the Year of Sports and resuming the tradition of holding sports parades on Red Square. “It’s a good idea,” Putin supported the initiative.

Putin recalled that the BRICS Games will be held in Kazan in June 2024, and the World Friendship Games will be held in Moscow and Yekaterinburg in September of the same year. He clarified that the competition program includes both well-known sports and those that are “gaining popularity,” including breaking, skateboarding and sports programming.

“Russia understands how important it is to preserve the traditions of sports, but at the same time, of course, it is open to everything that is better, new, advanced, to what is popular among young people, including, of course, in sports,” the president noted.

As an example, he cited the “Games of the Future,” which combine classical sports and e-sports. The competitions will be held in Kazan in February 2024. In conclusion, Putin invited athletes from different countries to take part in them.