Page 60 - Olympism in Socialism

conditions — especially in rural areas — they also
participate in the development of cultural and
social life.
The number of physical training associations
shows a rising trend. Whereas in 1970 there were
7,495 associations in Czechoslovakia, their
number exceeded 8,000 in the latter half of the
1970s.
The physical-training associations are divided
into branches and sections. The physical-training
branch is the organizational unit of those
interested in tourism or basic and recreational
physical training. It has its own committee
subordinate to the committee of the physical
training association. The number of branches
increased by nearly 50 per cent in the 1970s. At
the end of the last decade, there existed, 6,400
branches, including 4,300 branches of basic
physical training and 2,100 branches of tourism.
The branches of basic and recreational physical
training bring together over 430,000 members,
while the tourism branches have an organised
membership of 107,000.
The sports section is the organizational unit
of those interested in some kind of sports. It is
also headed by an elected committee subordinate
to the committee of the physical training
association. The number of sports sections has
increased from 16,400 in 1970 to over 20,000 at
present. This includes 5,847 football sections,
1,164 chess sections, 958 ice-hockey sections,
681 handball and Czech handball sections, 660
water-sports sections, 596 basketball sections,
etc.
The branches and sections constitute the
basic link of sports unions which are an integral
part of the Czechoslovak Physical Training Union.
They ensure the development of the respective

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