On October 5, the first nationwide Sports Dictation was held in Russia. This educational project of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) and the Russian Ministry of Sport aims to develop sports literacy and promote an active lifestyle. Its main objective is to foster interest in and a conscious approach to sports among the population. The Dictation was launched by Russian Minister of Sport and ROC Chairman Mikhail Degtyarev.

The event spanning all regions of Russia attracted more than 250,000 people. Participants had the options of writing the dictation in person or online on over 800 venues: universities and schools, libraries and parks. The central venue was the Russia National Centre in Moscow.

The Russian International Olympic University provided the main venue for the event in Sochi. On Sunday, it welcomed up to 200 guests and participants: students from Sochi universities and colleges, high school students, young athletes and staff of Sochi sports schools, as well as active and retired athletes currently studying at RIOU on a professional retraining programme for sports management.

The event began with a presentation by the RIOU students. The Chinese students offered highlights from the history of organising the Summer and Winter Olympics in Beijing, while Russian karate champion, International Class Master of Sport Vera Kovaleva, shared secrets of a successful sports career with the young participants.

The dictation questions were read aloud by renowned Russian athletes: IOC Honorary Member, Honorary President of the Russian Olympic Committee Vitaly Smirnov; Russian canoeist, Olympic medallist Ivan Shtyl; Soviet hockey goaltender, coach, State Duma deputy Vladislav Tretiak; Olympic volleyball champion Taras Khtey; President of the Russian Fencing Federation, two-time Olympic fencing champion Ilgar Mamedov; President of the Russian Wrestling Federation, Olympic champion Mikhail Mamiashvili; President of the Russian Basketball Federation, Olympic bronze medallist in basketball Andrei Kirilenko, amongst others.

During the federal teleconference, Vera Kovaleva asked one of the 25 dictation questions, related to the Fisht Olympic Stadium. This venue in Sochi hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2014 Games, as well as matches of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

The Dictation is an important step in popularising sports literacy across Russia and promoting the values of Olympism and a healthy lifestyle.