Every year, the second Saturday of September in Ukraine is the Day of Physical Culture and Sports. This holiday was introduced by presidential decree on June 29, 19994. In 2012, it falls on September 8th.
The purpose of this holiday is to familiarize the population of Ukraine with an active healthy lifestyle. On this day, sports days will be held in Ukrainian cities and villages, people will participate in mass physical culture classes and marathons. Traditionally, the winners of the races and marathons will be awarded certificates and valuable gifts.
In all secondary schools of Ukraine, as well as in other educational institutions on September 8 or on the eve of this day, all kinds of contests and competitions in physical culture and sports will be held. Schoolchildren will prepare colorful wall newspapers that will highlight the country's sports achievements. Physical education teachers will tell their students interesting stories from the sports life of Ukraine.
In various cities of Ukraine, on September 8, on the central streets and squares, photo exhibitions dedicated to significant events in the field of sports will be held. Young gymnasts and gymnasts will certainly perform in various numbers. Successful athletes of Ukraine will also be honored.
Veterans of Ukrainian sports do not go unnoticed on this holiday. Employees of sports committees invite them to meetings with young people, and they come home to the oldest ones with gifts and congratulations.
Ukrainian sport really has something to be proud of. The name of the legendary Ivan Poddubny, a Greco-Roman style fighter from Ukraine, is known throughout Europe. In addition, many victories were won by the athletes of this country, in performances in the national teams of the Soviet Union. Serhiy Bubka also received the title of a legend of Ukrainian sports, setting 35 world records in high jump. No one has been able to beat his 1994 record (6 m 14 cm) until now.
The best footballers in Europe are also athletes from Ukraine, Igor Belanov and Oleg Blokhin were awarded the “golden ball”. The names of gymnasts Irina Deryugina and Larisa Latynina are also known to the whole world, the latter won 18 Olympic medals.
Today, new stars of Ukraine are performing on sports arenas around the world. These are tennis player Andrei Medvedev, football player Andrei Shevchenko, boxers Vitaly and Vladimir Klitschko, gymnast Anna Bezsonova, swimmer Yana Klochkova, athlete Zhanna Pintusevich and many others.
