TOURISM, SPORTS

In recent years regional physical culture and sports presents the positive development, i.e. the increase of persons, who are engaged in sports and physical training. The work for improvement of the effective methods and ways of physical training and sports activity concerning local traditions and working conditions is carried out in the region.

There is a high sports school, 15 specialized youth schools of Olympic reserve, 49 youth sports schools, 68 youth sports clubs, 7 youth clubs of physical training operating in the region.

For a long time Zaporizhzhya land has been famous for the sports achievements. A lot of Zaporizhzhya sportsmen have gown down in history. Among them there is wrestler Yakiv Punkin – the fi rst Olympic champion in USSR, the gold medal winners, such as: Leonid Zhabotinsky, Mikhajlo Ischenko, Sergij Kushniruk, Tatyana Borovskich (Samoilenko), O.Strazheva, O.Rezanov, M.Tomin, N.Shestuk, Y.Lagutin, T.Prorochenko, V.Lutaeva, world records holder in high jumps V. Yaschenko, bronze and silver Olympic winner V.Raskatov began his career in Zaporizhzhya. In total, since 1952 the sportsmen of our region have won in the main world competitions 11 gold, 6 silver and 6 bronze medals.

There are worth to be mentioned achievements of such world and European champions, Olympic champions as Denys Selantjev (swimming), Olena Zhupina, Ganna Sorokina, Roman Volodykov (water jumpers), Sydorenko brothers (boxing), Roman Kukushka, Olga Roschupkina (spot gymnastic), Oleg Mykhajlov (bullet shooting) as well as their coaches Segij Gusev, Tetjana Ladejna, Volodymyr Manzulja, Olexander Barsukov and Ljubov Barsukova, Mykola Nazarenko, etc.

During the last decade 100 world-level masters of sports, 14 sportsmen of the title “the Honored master of sports of Ukraine ” have been trained in the region. 47 sportsmen took part in Olympic Games.

Zaporizhzhya region is master of its considerable recreational resources. Favourable south climate of Ukraine, picturesque landscapes of the Dnipro River, mineral water source and sea therapeutic mud, warm Azov Sea all these attract numerous tourists. Such cities as Berdyansk, Primorsk and Kirillovka are recreational zones.

In recent years, tourism develops rapidly. Taking into account the availability of unique natural and medical factors, recreation development, tourism is a perspective trend for foreign investments.

Historical see-sights create favourable conditions that let touring of any type. There are a lot of dispensaries, rest homes, camping and sport grounds at the seashore of the Azov Sea and the Dnipro River .

The basis of its touring attractiveness lies in the historical legacy (such as a historical and cultural centre “700 years-old Zaporiz'kiy Dub” (Zaporizhzhya Oak), Khortytsya-island – the cradle of Zaporizhzhya Cossacks and the fi rst democratic republic in the world, etc.) as well as natural conditions that let touring of any type.

There are well-known tourist objects such as historical and archeological complexes “Kam'yana Mogyla” (Melitipol district), “Kam'yani Mogyly” (Rozivka district), “Sadyba Popova” (Vasylivka district).

The work of the tourist centre is based on the interest to Zaporizhzhya Cossacks land, spiritual values of the Ukrainian people, and also upon good traditions of visitors' reception and service.