Russia is a country that loves sports. For many people, playing sports or doing
physical activities is a big part of daily life. Both professional sports and amateur sports are very popular in Russian culture.
Football (or soccer) is probably the most loved sport in Russia. Many people watch
matches on TV or go to stadiums to support their favourite teams. Russia also hosted
the FIFA World Cup in 2018, which was a very exciting event for the country.
Ice hockey is another national passion. Russian hockey players are famous all over
the world. Historically, the Soviet national team won many world championships,
and today, Russian stars play in the best leagues, like the NHL in North America.
Other popular sports include basketball, volleyball, and figure skating. Russia often
produces very strong champions in these sports, especially in gymnastics and
swimming.
Besides modern sports, Russia has some very old and traditional games.
Gorodki: This is an ancient folk game. A player throws a wooden bat at a group of
wooden cylinders (called "gorodki"). The goal is to knock the figures out of the
playing area. It is a bit like bowling but with different shapes.
Lapta: This is a bat-and-ball game. It is similar to American baseball or English
rounders. One team hits the ball and runs, while the other team tries to catch the ball
and hit the runners. It is over 400 years old!
Bandy: This sport is like ice hockey, but players use a ball instead of a puck. It is
sometimes called "Russian hockey" and is very popular in some parts of the country.
Sport is not only for professional athletes in Russia. The government wants people
to be healthy. There is a program called GTO (which means "Ready for Labour and
Defence"). People of all ages can take physical tests to get a special badge.
Every year, there are big events for amateurs, such as the "Cross of the Nation" (a running race) and the "Ski Track of Russia". Even winter swimming is popular!
Some people believe that swimming in very cold water is good for their health.
From big stadiums hosting world champions to simple parks where families play traditional games, sport is an important part of life in Russia. It brings people together and keeps them healthy.