06/09/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/09/2025 09:08
President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Degtyarev, the sports sphere is not new to you as you worked on it back when you were in the State Duma. Still, serving in the Government is a different matter. It is an executive agency, and that means a different approach, more specific and practical issues.
There are several topics I would like to discuss with you. I see you have brought a full report and we will go through it shortly. But one of the key issues is the shared responsibility of regional, municipal and federal authorities for children's and junior sports. What is the current situation there? How is the work being structured?
The second issue has to do with adaptive sports, especially for our service members returning home, some of them wounded, and many of them want to be engaged in sport. That is the second point.
Third, I want to talk about transparency in the operations of sports organisations, including individual sports federations, and the readiness of sports facilities and venues across the Russian regions.
And of course, there is your work as head of the Russian Olympic Committee. We are all aware of the current state of elite international sports and of the behaviour of global sports organisations, which, in my view, are increasingly driven by political considerations, rather than by the true ideals of the Olympic movement. But that is another matter.
It is crucial for us to continue supporting the Russian Olympic Committee and foster cooperation on international platforms with those who are willing, and they represent the majority around the world, inviting our friends here, working with them, hosting engaging, worthy, and prestigious competitions with sizeable rewards for the winners. We need to showcase these events for our audiences and sports enthusiasts, and to give sports fans all over the globe an opportunity to see how physical fitness and sports are developing in Russia. This should serve as a full-fledged and efficient tool for keeping our nation healthy.
Minister of Sport Mikhail Degtyarev Degtyarev MikhailMinister of Sport of the Russian Federation : Mr President, let me begin with the mission of the new Sports Ministry team: to make sports more accessible, especially for children, as you said. Now I would like to report on the measures taken. Our goal is to return the national team in full to international competitions and generally enhance the sector.
I will begin with the presentation on children's and youth sports. Almost 22 million children aged under 18 participate in sports in Russia. As both you and the Education Ministry have noted, the majority of this are school sports. Some children engage in sports through the Ministry of Education, other institutions, or clubs. However, the bulk if our sports reserve, which comprises more than two million athletes, train in our sports schools, of which there are nearly 4,400.
In line with the instructions you have issued, Mr President, the Ministry of Sport has waived all competitions entry fees for children under 18 starting from May 1. The order has been signed.
Regarding the high fees at children's and youth sports schools, this problem exists, and, to be honest, some parents consider it normal. But there are other parents who cannot afford to pay. Therefore, we believe that restoring social justice will require changes to the legislation, including criminal penalties in cases where parents are forced to pay additional fees.
Vladimir Putin: We have discussed this. We are doing everything ourselves, aren't we?
Mikhail Degtyarev: Of course.
Vladimir Putin: We try to do everything ourselves. I know that if I were to take up sports today, I would hardly be able to achieve - as I told you - the title of Master of Sports of the Soviet Union in sambo, and the second title of Master of Sports of the Soviet Union in judo. My family did not have the money to pay for every step of a budding athlete; it would simply be impossible.
But what have we done in this sphere today? I would not go into details, but social justice must be ensured for all Russian families.
Mikhail Degtyarev: It will be done, Mr President. We will do this together with other agencies, including law enforcement.
To be continued.
Published in sections: News, Transcripts
Publication date: June 9, 2025, 14:05
Direct link: en.kremlin.ru/d/77151
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