Prime Minister Vladimir Putin congratulated professional and amateur athletes, as well as sports officials, on Physical Fitness Day and the 70th anniversary of its establishment
His message reads, in part:
"For many years, excellence in sports and the physical fitness movement have been among the meaningful priorities of our state. Victories won by our athletes at major world championships fill us with joy and pride in our country, and provide a firm basis for the patriotic upbringing of our youth. Without the accessibility of popular sports to large numbers of Russia's citizens, it is hard to imagine the solution of important social problems or a qualitative improvement in the nation's health."
"I am confident that the nation's upcoming sports events - the Olympic Games in Sochi and the World University Games in Kazan - will mark a significant step in the development of the country's sports infrastructure and provide an excellent incentive in promoting the values of healthy living in our society, above all among young people."
