In Minsk competitions among the elderly "Active longevity - 2026" gathered more than a hundred participants

Today, on October 3, in the sports complex "Athletics Arena" in Minsk, the republican sports and mass competitions among the elderly "Active longevity - 2026" were held. Participants of the large-scale competition were more than a hundred contestants from different parts of the country aged 50 years and older, writes sb.by.

Competitions "Active longevity" motivate representatives of silver age to engage in themselves, to fulfill all the principles of a healthy lifestyle and strengthen immunity, said the chairman of the public association "Soberness-Optimalist" named after G. A. Shichko, one of the organizers of the sports event Valentin Tolkachev:

- This year the competition was held for the sixth time. And I am very pleased that they are gaining scale, our geography is expanding significantly every year. If in the first year only the teams of the Minsk region performed, now participants from Uzda, Borisov, Molodechno, Logoysk, Vitebsk, Grodno and Brest regions also joined all districts of the capital. My dream is that our competitions will become even more popular and resonate in every district and region of the country. After all, our main idea is primarily a healthy lifestyle, where everyone can develop useful habits of vivacity and longevity.

Push-ups focusing on time, exercise on the flexibility of the spine, sports walking 400 meters, jumping rope in 20 seconds - in each type of program in the individual standings were men and women of four age groups. The oldest participant of this year was 87-year-old Svetlana Iosifovna Pashkevich from Logoysk, who has already won twice in her age category. Participation in competitions is, first of all, an opportunity to perform with dignity, meet friends, show your strength and support fellow countrymen, the woman said:

- For more than 50 years she worked as a math teacher at school, and when she retired, she actively engaged in sports. In our territorial center of social services of the population there are mugs for every taste. Therefore, every day has been painted for a year: Monday, Wednesday, Friday - charging, Tuesday and Thursday - swimming pool, I still go to dances, perform in the folk ensemble. Besides, I have a small farm and garden, so you won’t get bored. Longevity is a movement, so for me it is a joy to do what I love, to stay healthy and full of energy. I have three children, six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, who sometimes even wonder how I do everything, but are proud of an active grandmother and set an example for their friends.

With push-ups, the back and legs should be a single straight line, the elbows do not need to be completely placed to the sides, they should also go back, the contestant from Vitebsk, 71-year-old Afanasy Dmitrievich Mukhachev, draws attention to the correct technique of performing the exercise. For 20 seconds, the man without a hitch performed almost 30 push-ups from the floor - he is pleased with the result, he admitted:

- To the competition “Active longevity” joined for the first time. And in general, I have been in sports all my life - I started with swimming, then I was a member of the national team of the Republic of Belarus in Maritime all-around, I also did triathlon. And now I perform at many sports events for older people – both in swimming and athletics. The atmosphere is great! First of all, participation in such events keeps in tone and reminds of self-discipline.