The programme known in Russia by the acronym GTO was first used in Russia by Stalin in the early 1930s to ensure that Russia had a fighting-fit population and saw millions of citizens take part in physical activities such as running, jumping, skiing and swimming.

The GTO continued through until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 but former KGB agent Putin has revived the programme which is due to start again in September.

Putin claimed the programme will "pay homage to our national historic traditions" adding "the Olympics and Paralympics have demonstrated that we are again becoming one of the leaders in global sports".

Russia topped the medal tables at both the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games at Sochi 2014.

Vladimir Putin wants to build on the success of the Sochi 2014 Winter Games by bringing back the GTO national fitness programme ©Getty Images



Meanwhile, at an awards ceremony in the Kremlin, Putin bestowed a number of high profile state awards on officials involved in organising the Games as well as athletes, coaches, sports officials and those involved in the construction and delivery of infrastructure and venues.

Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak, who supervised the Olympic project as the Government's representative was awarded the order "For Meritorious Service to the Motherland" First class, which is one of the highest civilian honours in Russia.

Sochi 2014 President Dmitry Chernyshenko was awarded the order "For Meritorious Services to the Motherland" Second Class as was Governor of the Krasnodar region, Alexander Tkachev and Konstantin Ernst, who was in charge of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies at Sochi 2014.

Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko received the Third Class honour while 35 other officials, including Russian Biathlon Union President Mikhail Prokhorov, Sochi Mayor Anatoly Pakhomov and Russian Olympic Committee President Alexander Zhukov also picked up awards.

"I'm very glad to stress here once again that Russia has arranged this festival of sports, enabling people to communicate happily during the Sochi Olympics," said Putin.

"Dozens of thousands of people who worked hard for nearly seven years, making it possible for Russia to host the Olympics and the Paralympics in Sochi had made an outstanding contribution to this process.

"One of the biggest legacy effects is the growth in sports participation among young people.

"And it was the athletes' performances that inspired them."

President of the Sochi 2014 Organising Committee, Dmitry Chernyshenko was the recipient of a prestigious national honour for his work on delivering the Winter Games ©AFP/Getty Images



The Sochi 2014 Winter Games were the most expensive in Olympic history, costing a reported $51 billion (£31 billion/€37 billion).

The Games have generally been deemed a huge success despite a range of problems and controversies that dogged the build-up which included allegations of corruption against a number of officials involved in delivering the event as well as widespread condemnation from the international community following the introduction of legislation banning the promotion of "homosexual propaganda" to minors which led to a raft of international leaders staying away from the Games.

Russia also implemented the largest security operation in Olympic history to combat the threat of terrorist attacks following a spate of bombings, attributed to Islamist groups in the North Caucasus region, in the months leading up to the Games.

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