The years of the Great Patriotic War are an important period for Russian and world history, not only everyday life changed, but also sports. On the 80th anniversary of the Victory, we will tell about the role of sports during the battles and remember the heroes of the country, their valiant deeds and key events that brought the memorable May day closer.

After the Great Victory of the Soviet people over Nazi Germany in May 1945, and later over the policy of Japanese militarism, peace and the usual way of life gradually returned to the country. Sports and physical culture were not left aside. Athletes, coaches and sports organizers who defended the Motherland in difficult years and returned home victorious made a great contribution to their post-war development. The state itself also played a key role.

The Great Patriotic War dealt a severe blow to the Soviet physical culture movement. Tens of thousands of physical culture and sports specialists died or became incapacitated. In the territories that were occupied, almost all sports facilities were destroyed and equipment was destroyed. Therefore, it was necessary not only to restore, but also to re-create the personnel potential and the material and technical base of sports.

The decision was the resolution of the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR of September 28, 1945 "On Assistance to Committees for Physical Culture and Sports in Improving Their Work." This document became a program for the restoration of sports. The Council of People's Commissars of the USSR obliged the republican councils of people's commissars, together with trade union organizations, to take urgent measures to restore the destroyed sports facilities.

In accordance with this document, the physical culture and sports committees were given back sports facilities and office premises used for military purposes. The state also allocated funds for the construction of new sports facilities.

A large-scale personnel program was also a major measure to support sports. The training and retraining of 500 heads and employees of committees and councils of voluntary sports societies was organized. About a thousand coaches in various sports were also trained. The positions of state coaches in Olympic sports were introduced, strengthening the centralized training of high-class athletes.

For the mass development of youth sports, 80 sports schools for young people were opened. And since October 1946, the "Excellent Physical Culture and Sports" badge was awarded for success in work.

The educational system also underwent significant changes. Starting from the 1946-1947 academic year, physical education again became a compulsory subject in all educational institutions in the country. The network of physical education departments in higher education institutions has also resumed its work.

The popularization of physical education in the post-war years reached a new level. As early as 1945, colorful all-Union sports parades began to be held, which became a powerful tool for promoting a healthy lifestyle and mass sports.

The system of motivation and recognition of athletes' achievements was also improved - badges were introduced for the title of "Master of Sports" and athletes of different categories. And the winners of prestigious all-Union competitions and USSR championships began to be officially awarded gold, silver and bronze medals.

These measures, implemented in a short time, not only helped to restore the sports infrastructure after the Great Patriotic War, but also laid a solid foundation for subsequent outstanding achievements of Soviet sports, in particular in the international arena.

The text is written based on materials from the Proza.ru platform.

Photo: Heraclion Foundation