Michael Degtyarev:
Happy Winter Sports Day to everyone!
Winter and snow truly represent our country, as many regions experience below-zero temperatures for over half the year. This is why winter sports hold a special place in our hearts.
One of the key figures in popularizing skating in Russia was Peter the Great, the Emperor of Russia, who innovatively attached skates to shoes, essentially creating the prototype for modern skates. Additionally, in 1908, the Russian Empire achieved a historic milestone by winning its first Olympic gold medal in figure skating, then known as “special figures”, thanks to Nikolai Panin-Kolomenkin.
Our National Team has consistently been one of the strongest in world hockey, figure skating, cross-country skiing, biathlon, and other winter sports. Interestingly, hockey with a ball, known as Russian hockey, is quite popular in many northern European countries and is recognized by the IOC. However, it was only included in the Olympic Games program once, back in 1952.
President of Russia Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin has declared Winter Sports Day a nationwide event, celebrating the thousands of people in Russia who ski, skate, and play hockey. Many of our renowned athletes have emerged from these amateur sports.
Currently, Russia is actively developing 14 Olympic winter sports, with over 2.5 million participants involved. From 1994 to 2022, Russian athletes secured a remarkable 164 medals at the Winter Olympics, including 50 golds. With the XXV Olympic Winter Games kicking off in Italy yesterday, the entire nation is rallying behind our athletes in support.
To further promote winter sports in Russia, a comprehensive plan has been established. In 2026, we will host a total of 1,430 sporting events, spanning all levels – from regional tournaments and large festivals to 65 national championships and 112 international competitions.
