On February 7, 2015, at the initiative of the Russian Olympic Committee, the holiday Winter Sports Day was established, dedicated to the anniversary of the XXII Olympic Winter Games 2014 in Sochi. The holiday is held annually in February in all the regions of the Russian Federation.
The central venues of the holiday are in Moscow (VDNKh, Gorky Park, GUM skating rink on Red Square, Poklonnaya Gora) and Sochi (educational center Sirius).
Olympic champions and medalists take part in the celebrations which include mass skating events, master classes in figure skating, speed skating, hockey games, autograph signings, as well as performances of famous figure skaters.
Every year, Winter Sports Day gathers more than 15 thousand people in Moscow and about 1 million people across the country.
The events are held with support from partners and sponsors of ROC such as Gazprom, Aeroflot, Norilsk Nickel, ZASPORT, Siberian Health, Megafon, 01 Group (Non-State Pension Fund ″Future″).
In February 2018, Winter Sports Day was held for the fourth time, receiving the status of an annual nationwide mass sports festival.
In order to support the organization of Winter Sports Day, the Russian Olympic Committee allocates funds to the regional Olympic Councils in the amount of 100 thousand rubles, as a donation for each council for the manufacturing and purchasing of award merchandise and promotional materials (medals, badges, certificates, banners, etc.).
Winter Sports Day is widely covered in the constituent entities of Russia by the media. Winter Sports Day is covered by federal and regional mass media, popularizing the Olympic movement, promoting universal ideals and values, as well as educating young people based on the glorious Olympic traditions of national sport.
