On May 6, a postage stamp dedicated to the All-Russian Physical Culture and Sports Program Ready for Labor and Defense was put into postal circulation

Ready for Labor and Defense (GTO) is an All-Russian physical culture and sports complex created "for the purpose of further improving the state policy in the field of physical culture and sports, creating an effective system of physical education aimed at the development of human potential and strengthening public health". The program is an analogue of the Be ready for labor and defense of the USSR system that existed in the USSR.

On March 24, 2014, President of the Russian Federation V. Putin signed a decree ordering the approval, by June 15 of 2014, of the “Regulations on the All-Russian Physical Culture and Sports Complex Ready for Labor and Defense (GTO)”; to develop accompanying regulatory acts by August 1; and to implement the program effective since September 1.

The GTO complex comprises the following categories: preschool children, elementary school pupils, middle school students, university students, adults, and the elderly. The system is based on three blocks: locomotor, gymnastic and swimming, which allow one to assess the level of physical fitness and provide an opportunity to participate in various competitions and events. There are also several difficulty levels that imply performing a certain number of exercises. Successful completion of the tests entitles participants to receive the corresponding marks of distinction, which are a high honor and recognition of physical achievements.

A mark of distinction of the GTO complex is an award given to participants for the successful fulfillment of the standards of tests of various denominations: bronze, silver, and gold (by analogy with medals in "top-class" sports) in each age group of the GTO complex. The document confirming the award of a GTO mark of distinction of the corresponding level is the accompanying certificate. It has the form of a booklet with a brown-burgundy cover, featuring an image of the mark of distinction and text blocks on the inside spread.

The postage stamp features an image of a happy family whose members have successfully passed the GTO tests.

In addition to the issue of the postage stamp, JSC Marka produced First Day Covers and special cancels for Moscow and St. Petersburg.


Design Artist: I. Ulyanovsky.
Face value: 97 rubles.
Stamp size: 37×37 mm, sheet size: 152×152 mm.
Emission form: a sheet with margins with 9 (3×3) stamps.
Quantity: 549 thousand stamps (61 thousand sheets).

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