Stanislav Pozdnyakov: «The day of winter sports is one of the main mass sports events in Russia»

On February 10, Russia will celebrate the Day of winter sports. Over a short time, this event has become one of the most popular sports and mass events in the country. About two million people take part in it every year. This year, the celebrations are timed to the fifth anniversary of the 2014 Games in Sochi and an anniversary of the Olympic Games in Pyeongchang.

Stanislav Pozdnyakov:

Dear friends!

In 2015, at the initiative of the Russian Olympic Committee, the Day of winter sports was held in our country for the first time. Together we celebrated the anniversary of the start of the XXII Olympic Winter Games in Sochi and participated in numerous sports events and actions. The day of healthy lifestyle has become popular nationwide. Skating rinks and skiing runs were visited by hundreds of thousands of people – from the youngest sport fans to respected veterans.

Today the Day of winter sports is already one of the main mass sports events in Russia. About two million people annually take part in it in 82 subjects of the Russian Federation.

In such regions as, for example, the Novosibirsk region, the Komi Republic, Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug, Krasnoyarsk Krai, where people love and understand winter disciplines, the holiday immediately gained huge popularity among the people.

At the same time, it is pleasant to note, that in our southern regions – in the Chechen Republic, Kabardino-Balkaria and many other places where snow and ice are rather exotic – people with pleasure come to ice arenas to play hockey, curling or just go skating and watch performance of young athletes.

Holding such events in regions is extremely important. Many of those little boys and girls who for the first time skied or received instructions from famous athletes within master classes at the Day of winter sports become afterwards professional athletes and win Olympic medals for the country. Such stories are not exceptional.  

This year we will recall not only heroes of the Sochi Games. Today’s holiday is dated for the anniversary of the XXIII Olympic Games in Pyeongchang where our team, one of the youngest at the Games, had to perform in very difficult conditions, but demonstrated good results.

On February 10 each of you and your relatives will have an excellent opportunity to do sports in fresh air in the festive atmosphere in the company of congenial people.

I would like to thank our sponsors and partners for the support in carrying out the Day of winter sports: the general sponsor of ROC – Gazprom global energy company, General partners of ROC: the largest airline of Russia Aeroflot, the official outfitter of the Russian Olympic team ZASPORT, and also the partner of ROC – Norilsk Nickel mining and metallurgical company.

I wish you good health, Olympic mood, sports accomplishments, new achievements and success! Support Russian Olympians and do sports!