The future of domestic sport was discussed at the RUSSIA EXPO

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On April 25, the RUSSIA EXPO is hosting a thematic National Priorities Day dedicated to sport and physical culture. Participation in the plenary session "Sport. Future Possibilities" was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko. Welcoming speeches and reports were made by Oleg Matytsin, Minister of Sport of Russia, Elena Shmeleva, Chairman of the Council of the Sirius Federal Territory, as well as representatives of specialized federal and regional executive bodies.

The participants discussed the development of physical culture and sport in the country's schools, strengthening the investment attractiveness in this area, the prospects of student sport and other issues.

"President Vladimir Putin has set a goal that by 2030 70% of Russian citizens would be engaged in systematic physical education and sports. Today in the country we have about 56% of the population regularly engaged in sports — about 75 million people. Why do they do it? We know that constant regular physical activity really helps to increase life expectancy. According to studies, every hour of running per day extends life by 5-7 hours. I urge everyone, check it out for yourself, you will definitely succeed, prolong your life! In his Address to the Federal Assembly, the head of state also noted that the average life expectancy in Russia has already exceeded 73 years. We have returned to the pre-pandemic level and will continue to work comprehensively on its increase," said the Deputy Prime Minister.

He added that since 2022, citizens have been entitled to a tax deduction for gym classes and other physical fitness services. Dmitry Chernyshenko urged to use this tool more actively:

"Since 2024 it has become much more convenient and cost-effective — there is a simplified procedure for registration. Taking advantage of our large audience, I would like to draw attention to it once again, the limits for social deductions have been increased to 150 thousand rubles per year. This is a great incentive, so everyone go to the gym!" emphasized Deputy Prime Minister.

In his speech, Oleg Matytsin shared plans for the development of sports and spoke about potential federal projects that could be approved.

"Today, the topic of sport and physical culture is part of the national project "Demography" as a federal project "Sport is the Norm of Life" and in addition is present in the framework of eight national projects. In the future, the Russian Ministry of Sport sees the importance of keeping sports in the national projects. The current geopolitical situation has allowed Russia to consolidate its efforts to search for the development of new ways and formats, which turned out to be even more effective. We have developed a national project "Sport of Russia", which will include three federal projects: "Sport is a Norm of Life", "Sports Reserve" and "Multipolar Sport World," said the Minister.

He emphasized that the federal project "Sport is the Norm of Life" has become a full-fledged brand that unites more than 80 million people at sports facilities, sections and grounds.

"We are sure that in order to fulfill the Orders of President Vladimir Putin and to build 350 sports facilities per year, it is necessary to continue this federal project," said Oleg Matytsin.

Today more than 4 thousand organizations work in the sport training system and more than 2.8 million people are trained on their basis. More and more people across the country, especially young people, are getting involved in the GTO complex, which was revived on the initiative of the President. According to Dmitry Chernyshenko, about 22 million people have already registered in the GTO system, more than 10 million people have successfully passed the standards and received insignia.

About 2.6 thousand testing centers are functioning in the regions.

Deputy Prime Minister said that the Government was systematically developing sports infrastructure and creating conditions for sports activities for all age groups. Thus, there are about 350 thousand sports facilities in Russia.

"Modular gyms and "smart" sports grounds, as well as sports facilities within the framework of public-private partnership are being created under the federal project "Business Sprint". Vladimir Putin announced that 350 new, high-tech sports facilities will be built in all Russian regions by 2030. More than 65 billion rubles is allocated for these purposes," he explained.

The Deputy Prime Minister noted that despite external challenges, high-performance sport in Russia is developing dynamically, and new formats of international sport competitions are being created.

Thus, the key innovative sporting event of 2024 became the first Games of the Future, such competitions as the Games of BRICS countries, Friendship Games, CIS Games are being held, the Russian-Chinese Youth Games are planned for 2025. The joint work on the platform of the Union State continues — from 2020 to 2023, about 1.7 thousand joint events between Russia and Belarus took place.

"Together we will develop innovative competition formats, popularize mass sports and healthy lifestyle. I wish you a great mood, interesting and fruitful discussion!" summarized Dmitry Chernyshenko. 

Let us remind you that the RUSSIA EXPO is held on the territory of VDNH in Moscow from November 4 to July 8. Visitors are presented expositions of 89 regions of Russia, leading federal departments, corporations and public organizations. More than 11 million people have already visited theExposition.