National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute”

Glorious athletic traditions have historically flourished at Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, being consistently sustained and amplified throughout the entire history of the higher education institution.

As early as 1908, Professors Plotnikov and Delaunay, lecturer Kovanko, and chemical engineer Tananaiev constructed a sports ground in the institute’s park, organizing a sports club for gorodki (skittles), lapta, and other games. Over time, students began joining the club as well. Starting in 1910, the club expanded into other sports disciplines: track and field, gymnastics, fencing, boxing, swimming, wrestling, sailing, ice skating, and skiing. Soon, the KPI sports club became the strongest in Kyiv, enjoying well-deserved renown. Later came a passion for association football. Football teams were formed and trained by former Dynamo Kyiv players.

In the post-war years, KPI became a leading institution in implementing physical education and sports across the higher education institutions of the former USSR. Faculty members and athletes participated in a substantial number of team and individual competitions; its walls nurtured such prominent athletes and coaches as Valeriy Lobanovskyi, Olympic Gymnastics Champion Larysa Latynina, Olympic Rowing Champion Serhiy Nikolskyi, World Rowing Championship medalist A. Maryskina, and others. Some of them now represent Ukraine and the city of Kyiv abroad. Physical education was integrated into the curricula of higher education institutions as a mandatory subject only in 1929. The Department of Physical Education at the higher education institution (known at the time as the Kyiv Industrial Institute) was established in 1934. Since 1954, the football division at KPI became the most popular in terms of mass participation. Competitions between football teams of different academic years and faculties were held in the spring and autumn. Varsity teams regularly competed in the championships of the city’s and Ukraine’s higher education institutions.

Since 1985, following the construction and equipping of a modern athletic infrastructure—a massive sports complex featuring two swimming pools and specialized halls for weightlifting, aerobics, wrestling, boxing, team sports, and gymnastics—KPI has been conducting classes centered on sports specialization.

The Department of Physical Education oversees academic work with students across all university faculties (encompassing approximately 700 academic groups) through practical sessions in 14 sports disciplines. Students with health limitations train under special, scientifically proven methodologies within a dedicated medical department.

During physical education classes, students acquire applied knowledge, skills, and competencies relevant to mass sports and professional activities aligned with the fields of study at technical and humanitarian faculties. Furthermore, material on “Valeology” (the science of health) is presented to students in the form of lectures and discussions.

The following traditional events regularly take place across the university’s faculties:

Competitions of various tiers in diverse sports disciplines, including internal championships;

Intramural university games (spartakiads);

Masterclasses in various sports;

A dedicated Healthy Lifestyle Month.