To the XXII Winter Olympic Games in Sochi: Exhibition “Learning of bodily grandeur. Sport and the family of the Romanovs” in Sochi

December 21, 2013 in the Sochi Art Museum with the support of Ministry of Culture of Russia opens the exhibition "Learning of bodily grandeur. Sports and the family of the Romanovs" from the State Museum "Peterhof". In the year of the 400th anniversary of the House of Romanov and in anticipation of the Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, the exhibition will reveal two main themes - the emergence and establishment in Russia of different sports from the XVIII century to the beginning of the XX century and the role of representatives of the Romanov dynasty in the development of physical culture of the Russian people.

The exposition, which includes 288 unique museum objects, is compiled in chronological order and talks about sport hobbies of Russian emperors. Peter I will appear before the audience as a lover of chess and billiards, Anna Ivanovna and Elizabeth Petrovna - Huntress passionate and good shots, Catherine II - riding fan, Nicholas II - a supporter of tennis and cycling. Peterhof collection demonstrates the variety of exhibits, witness of real "sports" hobbies of the XVIII-XIX centuries: bicycles, sleds, models of yachts, firearms and cold steel, skates, tennis rackets, sets of croquet.

Representatives of the ruling dynasty of the Romanovs understand the importance of physical development of their subjects. Each of the Russian tsars, preferring certain sporting activities, popularizing European sport innovations, did not forget about folk games, keeping them at the national level. Gradually in Russia appeared and developed a variety of sports: sailing and ice skating, swimming, wrestling, fencing, gymnastics, shooting, horse riding, tennis, cycling races.

At the beginning of the XX century under the auspices of the Romanovs sports societies and clubs existed in Russia. In 1900, Russia made its debut at the Summer Olympics in Paris. In 1908, at the London Olympics for the first time the Russian athletes won one gold and two silver medals.