PhD, Associate Professor L.M. Stolyar¹
PhD, Associate Professor K.E. Stolyar²
S.Yu. Vitko²
PhD, Associate Professor E.A. Lubyshev²
¹Moscow Pedagogical State University, Moscow
²Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, Moscow

Objective of the study is to identify and systematise the main factors hindering the development of the veterans’ athletics movement in Russia and to outline ways of overcoming them.
Methods and structure of the study. The study employs a range of methods: analysis and synthesis of data from scientific and methodological literature and official sources (records of international and all-Russian competitions, regulatory and legal acts), analysis of statistical materials, as well as secondary analysis of the results of sociological surveys of veteran athletes (n>100) conducted in 2020–2022.
Results and conclusions. Despite record-breaking figures for Russia in individual events (over 700 participants in St Petersburg in 2025), the mass appeal of the movement remains stagnant. The paper argues for the need to remove the identified barriers to realising the competitive and socio-communicative potential of veteran athletes as a key factor in active longevity and social stability.

Keywords: veterans’ sport, athletics, ‘masters’ athletes, inhibiting factors, regulatory vacuum, motivation, active longevity.

References

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