The message reads, in part,
“I congratulate you on this holiday, one which unites all generations of Russian citizens, Sports and Fitness Day.
The promotion of high-achievement sport and the mass fitness movement are justly considered to be among the top priorities of state policy. The triumphs of our athletes at the world’s top tournaments give us the thrill of victory and serve as a solid foundation for the patriotic upbringing of young people, showing them the values of choosing a healthful lifestyle and beneficial and active leisure.
Significant efforts have been made in the past years to create a modern and accessible sports infrastructure in Russia – we continue to build new stadiums and ice palaces, new health and training compounds, and continually raise the level of professional sports-related education. This much-needed work will definitely continue, and I am confident that it will yield practical results.”