More than two thousand athletes participated in the sports parade organized by the RUSSIA EXPO and the "Healthy Fatherland" movement

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On May 25, a large-scale sports procession was held at the International RUSSIA EXPO to mark the 105th anniversary of the first sports parade on Red Square. More than two thousand athletes took part in the celebration of the country's sporting achievements aimed at popularizing sports and a healthy lifestyle. The parade was organized by the RUSSIA EXPO and the All-Russian Public Movement "Healthy Fatherland".

"A wonderful tradition of athletes and physical trainers' parades on the Red Square in Moscow emerged in 1919. From 1931 to 1954 they were held on a regular basis, gathering hundreds of thousands of residents of the Soviet Union both in Moscow and Leningrad, but, unfortunately, later this tradition was lost. And only thanks to our national leader, President of Russia Vladimir Putin, we are reviving it. This year's procession is dedicated to the 105th anniversary of the first parade of athletes and sportsmen. As early as next year we are planning to organize a procession of athletes on Red Square - the most beautiful square in the world," said the Minister of Sport of the Russian Federation Mikhail Degtyarev. 

The route was followed by runners, gymnasts, boxers, swimmers, sambo wrestlers, volleyball players, football players, skaters, figure skaters and representatives of other sports. The columns were led by famous athletes of our time - two-time Olympic boxing champion Oleg Saitov, gymnast Nikita Nagorny and his wife Daria, synchronized swimmer Svetlana Romashina and many others. Paralympic athletes also took part in the procession.

"This is a historic event. It is a great joy that today both children and legends of national sports marched together in one formation. This is a healthy nation!" said Umar Kremlev, President of the International Boxing Association.

The main idea of the large-scale parade at the RUSSIA EXPO was the demonstration of the best achievements of different sports eras of Russia, as well as the sports life of the country that is constantly developing and moving. With the help of special props, costumes and program installations, the audience was symbolically transported to the era of grandiose sports parades and then returned to the present - to the best sports achievements of our time. The finale of the procession was a representation of the country's future sporting successes. The special symbolism lay in the fact that the festive columns included both veterans, current athletes and representatives of the younger generation.

"It is important that the tradition of such processions is being revived here at the RUSSIA EXPO. Sport is not only about achievements. It, like our Exposition, unites. Athletes from all over Russia, both famous and young generation, came to take part in today's procession. Looking at them, we see that we have a lot to be proud of. By reviving traditions, we are creating our future," said Anastasia Zvyagina, Deputy Director General of the RUSSIA EXPO. 

The procession ended with a mass flash mob, sports exercises for everyone and a festive concert. The headliner of the final show was the Pizza band.

"Today 'Healthy Fatherland' starts the countdown to the parade on Red Square in 2025. Today more than two thousand athletes who demonstrated their achievements, representatives of more than 30 federations of sports labor reserves, participants of the GTO, and, of course, sports families have marched shoulder to shoulder in the procession. Together we are a healthy nation and a great sports power," said Ekaterina Leshchinskaya, head of the All-Russian Public Movement "Healthy Fatherland".

"Holding the parade is a great idea. Russia should know its sports heroes, strive for a healthy lifestyle. Such events unite us and show the whole world that we are here, we exist, we work and live in a great country!" said gymnast, four-time Olympic champion Alexei Nemov.

"Sport really unites and brings people together. Today's procession was an opportunity for everyone to come together, to socialize, to thank the fans for their support. I hope that next year there will be even more athletes, representatives of different sports and disciplines, federations on Red Square. We once again show that we are a sports power and we cannot be defeated!" emphasized gymnast, Olympic champion Nikita Nagorny.

In April, the RUSSIA EXPO launched a large-scale sports program in cooperation with the All-Russian Movement "Healthy Fatherland". Champions conduct daily exercises for guests of the Exposition, and everyone can find activities for themselves on the sports ground. And the exercise led by Olympic champion Nikita Nagorny on April 20 became a record-breaking largest mass exercise in Russia - 5,773 people took part in it.