According to him, the decision to revive of the national games, which were held annually in the Soviet Union, was correct. "I think that it is an irreversible process," Mr. Fetisov said.
"It is also right that the decision to start the national games was entrusted to regions that showed an understanding and goodwill to organize these competitions," he noted.
Three million children competed in 19 sport competitions during the games.
Vladimir Goryunov, the chairman of the State Duma Physical Culture and Sport Committee, and Leonid Tyagachev, the president of the Russian Olympic Committee, also emphasized the importance and timeliness of the holding of the games.
"Sports are the most reliable wall between children and evil," Mr. Goryunov said. "Children need sports, it is necessary to captivate them with sport, and then the evil will inevitably go away."
Mr. Tyagachev noted that sports make it is possible to bring up healthy people, which is crucial to society's future.
