Page 74 - Olympism in Socialism

participation of people from all walks of life. A
variety of contests, especially for children and
youth, find a climax in displays projecting a
striking image of the high standards of physical
culture and. sports under socialism.
Competitive sports have also developed in this
way in the GDR. At the beginning extensive
assistance was given by the Soviet Union.
Coaches and experts came from there sharing
their knowledge and experience with GDR
sportsmen.
GDR athletes have achieved remarkable
successes in Olympic Games, world or European
championships and other international sports
meets, which make the people proud and happy.
How deep the roots of sports in the lives of people
are, is also reflected in the day-to-day life of the
towns, parishes and enterprises. More and more
people enjoy taking part in mass sports contests
and thus go in for sports regularly in the DTSB,
the trade-union branch, the work team or the
family. Efforts to acquire the Sports Badge of the
GDR have acquired a mass character. Last year
2.7 million applicants fulfilled the conditions for
the Sports Badge.
Annual sports programmes in towns,
parishes and enterprises—organised by the DTSB
and many other social bodies—set to satisfy
various wishes, interests and needs. They give
people the chance of taking part in some kind of
sports event throughout the year, with the work
team, the neighbors, and the family or
individually. This is especially so in holiday
resorts and at camping sites. Under the motto
“My Holidays—no off-days for Sports” millions of
citizens take advantage of these opportunities for
leisure activities every year.
The socialist society, as in all social spheres,

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