The revived GTO programme (literally translated as ‘Ready for Labour and Defence’) that had existed successfully in the former Soviet Union, has started its revival in 2014 and is gathering momentum ever since. The programme is a competition of physical fitness for non-professional athletes and includes various sub-types: running, push-ups, chin-ups, swimming, skiing, orienteering, shooting, and others. The tests are graded for different age and sex groups. The programme is open for all participants from the age of 6 to over 70. To become a winner the participant must achieve the set score. Winners are awarded with three types of medals, the same as in professional sport competitions - bronze, silver, and gold.
In the latest rating of the RF Ministry of Sport the Penza region occupies the 3rd place among other regions of Russia in developing GTO training.
The RF minister of sport Marina Tomilova commented on the growth of GTO programme in Russia and the rating of the regions. ‘The rating should not be looked on as the pure competition among the regions. This is more of an index of efficient work of the respective offices and promotion of healthy lifestyle among the people. Our president Vladimir Putin has set the goal of drastic improvement of the health of the nation, part of this is increasing the numbers of people doing some kind of sport up to 55 percent. These GTO ratings help us see the progress and adjust the work,’ she said.
The current rating for the third quarter of the year shows Penza region on the 3rd place among 85 RF subjects, after Tumen and Voronezh regions.
The GTO official website currently has 155,569 registered participants from the Penza region, which is 12.46% of the total population. About 90,000 people have already started their physica fitness tests. 35,202 of them achieved highest results.
