Michael Degtyarev:
Victory Day is one of the most significant holidays we celebrate.
Every day, but especially on May 9, we honor our veterans – our fathers, grandfathers, and great-grandfathers – who bravely risked their lives to secure a future for us, their descendants.
On this great day, we honor the courageous efforts of countless individuals on the home front – workers, partisans, soldiers, sailors, sergeants, sub-lieutenants, warrant officers, military officers, generals, and admirals. Among them are many who hailed from our nation’s sports universities, including renowned athletes and champions.
During the darkest hours of the Great Patriotic War, students of Physical Education institutions heroically defended access to the capital, while almost the entire student and faculty body of Leningrad State University of Physical Culture named after Lesgaft, bravely joined the battlefront, earning their alma mater the Red Banner Order.
The legendary separate motorized rifle brigade of special purpose, formed by the NKVD of the USSR, consisted of athletes who executed daring operations targeting fascists.
Even in the toughest years, sports remained a symbol of resilience. The USSR championships, football matches in besieged cities, and the heroic ascent of Mount Elbrus – where our climbers removed Nazi flags – served to strengthen our belief in an inevitable victory.
The Victory of 1945 continues to inspire many people today to defend our Homeland during the ongoing military operation. Among those answering the call are numerous employees from the Ministry of Sports of Russia, our universities and its affiliated institutions.
To honor our traditions, we must remember the heroic actions of our compatriots and instill a sense of patriotism in the younger generation. Additionally, let us ensure that sports, as they once were, continue to symbolize strength and bravery.
May faith, hope and love be with you all – for it is love for our Motherland that unites us.
Happy Victory Day!
