In the capital’s sports complex “Luzhniki” on Saturday, August 8, the celebration of the All-Russian Olympic Day began. This year the celebration is combined with the Athlete’s Day, which falls on every second Saturday in August.
“Happy holiday, dear Muscovites. This is a historical place, the Mecca of Russian sports. <...> Thousands of people come here to play sports, sport is a holiday that is always with us, “the Minister of Sports of the Russian Federation Oleg Matytsin opened the celebration.
He stressed that the holiday symbolizes a healthy lifestyle and the victories of Russian sports, and during a pandemic, it is of particular importance for the residents of the country.
“This is especially important now, during a pandemic, when people miss sports,” the minister said.
The opening ceremony was also attended by the heroes of the Moscow Games, held 40 years ago. Among them are the champions of the 1980 Olympics, volleyball player Lyubov Kozyreva, shooter Igor Sokolov, gymnast Vladimir Markelov, pentathlete Anatoly Starostin, water polo player Yevgeny Sharonov, cyclist Yuri Kashirin.
Aide to the President of the Russian Federation, Vice President of the Russian Olympic Committee Igor Levitin also addressed the participants of the holiday with a welcoming speech.
The ceremony was attended by President of the Russian Olympic Committee Stanislav Pozdnyakov, State Secretary – Vice President for Relations with Authorities and Management of PJSC MMC Norilsk Nickel Dmitry Pristanskov.
“I stand on this stage and rejoice that today, for the first time in our history, the Olympians, athletes managed to get together in one day in one place. We could not take our team from here to the 2020 Games, but we will definitely do it next year. We will come here again to these sites with the same composition, ”said the President of the Olympic Committee.
On August 1 and 2, Moscow hosted the celebration of the 81st anniversary of VDNKh. In honor of the holiday, creative, sports and dance master classes, lectures on cosmonautics, sports competitions and excursions were held in the park.