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Soviet Union [USSR] Sports Organizations
In 1989 the Soviet Union had thirty-six sports societies,
consisting of an urban and rural society for each of the fifteen
union republics and six
all-union (see Glossary) societies. All but
two of these organizations were operated by the trade unions. The
State Committee for Physical Culture and Sports served as the
umbrella organization for these societies. Each society built its
own sports facilities, secured equipment for its members, and hired
a permanent staff of coaches and other personnel. Each held local
and all-union championships for various sports, and each society's
teams played against the teams of other societies. Although in
theory the Soviet Union had no professional sports, each society
supported athletes who played sports full time. Furthermore, the
best, or "master sportsmen," received additional pay from the State
Committee for Physical Culture and Sports.
Data as of May 1989
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