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May 17: Celebrating the Day of Bulgarian Sport

Minister of Sport Vesela Lecheva recalls the beginning of national sport

Swiss athletes laid the foundations in 1894

Photo: Ministry of Youth and Sports

Vesela Lecheva - Minister of Youth and Sports congratulated athletes, coaches and sports figures on the occasion of the Bulgarian Sports Day on 17 May. She wished the Bulgarian athletes successful preparation for the Olympics in Paris and achievement of the desired goals. 

Lecheva recalled that on 17 May 1894 the first 10 physical education teachers arrived in Sofia from Switzerland with the task to lay the foundations of sport in Bulgaria. Among them, Charles Champaud and Louis Eyer were the most renowned. Football balls and various gymnastics equipment were brought for the first time to Bulgaria. The Swiss teachers also founded the iconic gymnastics organization "Yunak" ("Hero" - ed.). Charles Champaud was the first participant for Bulgaria at the Summer Olympics - in 1896 in Athens.

On the proposal of the State Agency for Youth and Sports and by a decision of the Council of Ministers of 4 August 2006, 17 May was declared the Day of Bulgarian Sport and a professional holiday for those working in the field of sport.

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