St Petersburg University recognised as a leader in organising sports events
As part of the solemn ball "Stars of Student Sports," St Petersburg University was awarded a diploma for winning the nomination "Best University Event." The award was the result of the successful implementation of a complex of physical culture and sports events dedicated to the celebration of the 300th anniversary of the University.
Anton Shantyr is Chairman of the Committee for Physical Culture and Sports of the Government of St Petersburg. He addressed the guests of the event with a welcoming speech, noting the importance of developing sports culture among young people and forming a sustainable healthy lifestyle policy. He spoke about the role of government support, emphasising the increase in the number of professional programmes aimed at training highly qualified coaches, sports doctors, physiotherapists, and other specialists necessary for the effective work of the sports sector. Anton Shantyr also noted the significant expansion of the network of sports facilities available to students, including not only the reconstruction of existing university sports complexes but also the construction of new ones.
The solemn ceremony brought together Anton Shantyr, Chairman of the Committee for Physical Culture and Sports of the Government of St Petersburg, and Alexey Demidov, Rector of St Petersburg State University of Industrial Technologies and Design, Chairman of the Council of University Rectors of St Petersburg and the Leningrad Region. They presented gratitude to St Petersburg University for its active assistance in popularising physical culture among students and for creating conditions conducive to their sports and professional growth. According to Alexey Demidov, in addition to recognising the outstanding achievements of students who are winners of national and international competitions, it is also necessary to evaluate and encourage the systematic work of universities to promote sports among young people.
The ceremony of awarding the best educational organisations, representatives of the professional and student community in the field of sports, as well as organisers of projects aimed at the development of the student sports movement in St Petersburg and the Leningrad Region, was held at St Petersburg State University of Industrial Technologies and Design.
Elena Sorina, Head of the St Petersburg University Sports Club, Master of Sport of International Class in rowing and multiple Champion of Russia, spoke about the importance of physical culture for students and how sports events help to develop team spirit and strengthen ties between students. She drew attention to the personal role of students in creating a healthy environment for young people, emphasising the importance of further investment in student sports and the need to create conditions for realising the athletic potential of each student, regardless of their level of training.
"St Petersburg University students have been demonstrating high results in the field of sports for many years. Today’s award is the result of teamwork that inspires students and staff to new achievements. Sport is not only a competition, but also an opportunity to unite people and create a friendly atmosphere where everyone can express themselves. Our events dedicated to the 300th anniversary of the University have become a good platform for this. We hope that such traditions will continue," said Elena Sorina.
One of the first significant events dedicated to the celebration of the 300th anniversary of St Petersburg University was the conquering of a nameless mountain peak on the Khamar-Daban Ridge in the Republic of Buryatia. Members of the St Petersburg University mountain climbing team, as well as graduates of the University representing the University mountaineering club "Bars", have successfully conquered a 1,724-metre mountain peak, demonstrating not only a high level of physical fitness but also the strength of academic unity.
In addition, as part of the 300th anniversary of the University, the Planet of Sports Jeu de Paume event was held. Students and staff of St Petersburg University actively participated in interactive sports zones representing eight different sports and also wrote letters to future student athletes in 2074. The event concluded at the skating rink of the Centre for Physical Culture, Sports and Health of the Vasileostrovsky District, where the students celebrated the anniversary of St Petersburg University.
In March 2024, the student hockey tournament Arctic Cup in the new 3×3 format was held at the Small Arena of the Yubileyny Sports Palace. Teams from four Russian universities, including St Petersburg, Moscow, and Arkhangelsk, participated in the sports competitions. The St Petersburg University hockey team was formed in September 2023 on the initiative of the students themselves.
In April, the sports life of the University turned to the chessboard. The traditional ‘Boris Spassky Cup’ brought together the strongest chess players among students, applicants and graduates. The tournament is held annually in honour of the outstanding graduate of St Petersburg University, the tenth world champion in the history of chess, Boris Spassky. The competition was held according to the Swiss system in seven rounds, when each participant was given ten minutes per game. More than 40 chess players took part in the event.
In autumn, from 24 to 26 September, the student football tournament Cup of the 300th anniversary of St Petersburg University was held at the Petrovsky Small Arena as part of the tenth anniversary season of the National Student Football League, organised within the framework of the All-Russian football competitions among students in the top division of Group B.
The conclusion of a large-scale series of sports competitions was the 3rd annual "Uncle Vania Cup," dedicated to Ivan Lebedev, a university graduate and founder of the first sports club, "Courses of Swedish Gymnastics and Athletics." The tournament highlighted the unifying role of sports in the life of the student community, as well as the importance of preserving the traditions established by Ivan Lebedev more than 120 years ago.
St Petersburg University is not only one of the leading educational institutions, but also a sports centre. The University annually hosts a traditional Ball of Champions to honour its top athletes, organises other sports competitions, and proudly supports its national teams as they represent the institution at Russian and international events. This spring, the St Petersburg University national swimming and women’s volleyball teams secured first place at the 43rd International Sports Festival in Istanbul.