The highest recognition of the athlete’s skill is the title: master of sports of Russia - MSR (in board games - checkers and chess - grandmaster of Russia), and master of sports of international class - MSMK. But in order to achieve this honor, it is necessary to work long and hard. The first step to the top is the lowest sports category - the third youth. Further, to the world-class master of sports, several more steps should be overcome.
Legal basis
The assignment of sports categories is regulated by Federal Law No. 329 “On Physical Culture and Sport in the Russian Federation” of 2007. The latest amendments to the document were made on April 18, 2018 with the beginning of validity on May 1, 2018. However, this is not the only document that athletes themselves, their coaches and judges, are guided by when it comes to assigning ranks and titles. Here the main source of information is the Regulation on the Unified All-Russian Sports Classification. The latest version of the document was adopted in June 2017. It details all the rules for each sport in Russia that are included in the All-Russian Register of Sports.
Despite the fact that one document refers to another and that the information contained in them is quite often updated, close to the near-sporting world, these Federal Laws, Regulations and the Register are extremely clear and simple. The assignment of sports ranks and titles of federal or international importance is carried out in a certain clear sequence, therefore there is no confusion here, since there are strict requirements of the Federal Law. If you follow them, have the minutes of the competitions with the results and signatures of the judges, then further registration of the qualification status of an athlete is a matter of time and patience.
On the way to the top
Ranks are assigned by the Ministry of Sports of Russia, and categories directly in the regions where the athlete resides, by executive authorities at the request of a coach through a representative office of the appropriate sport of the federation. A similar right is granted to subjects by article 22 of the Federal Law-329. For children from nine years old, the third, second and first youth categories are in effect. The third, second, first sports and candidate for master of sports (CCM) - for boys and girls who have achieved their respective results at a later age. Everything is relative. Another athlete and at 17 does not reach the first sports one according to the results. Another - at 13 is able to comply with the CCM standards. Therefore, the lower and upper age thresholds in sports do not have clear boundaries. The main thing is the implementation of standards and requirements for the assignment of sports categories.
The submission for qualification must be submitted within four months from the date of implementation of the relevant standards. In addition to the athlete’s personal results, other conditions must be observed. For all requirements, one should be guided by the Regulation on the Unified All-Russian Sports Classification. Competitions must have an appropriate status, the number and level of judges at them also matter, as well as the way in which the results are recorded in high-speed sports: stopwatch or digital meter.
Ranks are assigned for a period of two years. During this period, the qualifications obtained must be confirmed by the relevant results, participating in subsequent competitions. If the athlete obeys the standards of a higher category, he has the right to file a request for his award, without waiting for the expiration of the previous one.
Keeping the coveted little book
All achievements of the athlete from the lowest junior category are entered in the record book. Therefore, do not drag out with her establishment. Nowadays, the acquisition of this peculiar report card of the athlete lies entirely with his family. A rare federation has a sufficient budget to purchase, in addition to the necessary equipment and uniforms, also grades for its students. All entries made in it should have links to orders on the assignment of sports categories and not only, last names and categories of judges, rating of competitions in which significant results were achieved - everything should be reflected in it. Here, the more details, the better. In addition, the record book must be registered in the federation or organization that leads the athlete.
During the competition, it is submitted to the panel of judges, and according to the results of the competition, the personal achievements of the participant are entered into it. So, offset 0 is not only clear evidence of the assignment of youth sports categories at an early stage of an athlete’s career, but also his “diary with ratings” - results, awards, prizes, etc. It is worthwhile to carefully monitor that all entries have links to protocols, are certified signatures and seals of either the representatives of the federation where the athlete is engaged, or the organizers of the competition.
In a single list
Of course, it is not possible for all existing sports to officially qualify for sports categories or the titles of master of sports, grandmaster, master of sports of international class, but only because they are listed in the All-Russian Register of Sports (VRVS). This list is constantly updated: something is entered, something is excluded. Take, for example, such a hobby as eSports. At one time he was listed in the general register of sports in Russia. However, over time it was ruled out for a number of reasons. The list of peculiar hobbies claiming to be entered in the register is quite extensive, but not everyone has a chance to get into it even for a while.
On average, after each update of the list, about 150 species remain in it, according to which it is possible to assign sports categories. The Ministry of Sports is responsible for all their federations or organizations. It is worth noting that almost every species is divided into specific disciplines. For clarity, you can bring such a sport as rowing. Here are just a few of the 17 disciplines of rowing: two with a helm, four of a pair, four without a helm, four of a pair - light weight and so on. In addition to the academic, there is also a folk, coastal, rowing-Indore. Or in figure skating: male and female singles, sports dances, pair figure skating, group synchronized skating. And so for almost every species recorded in the ARVS.
Mass and developing
For all sports from the register there are certain rules, qualification standards and conditions for the assignment of sports categories. Women and men have their own. Graduation also goes by age, and in power disciplines and by weight of athletes. Requirements and norms were developed and established on the basis of analysis of the development of a particular sport and its individual disciplines. The status of the competition and the number of participants in them are also important for the awarding of ranks and titles. If we take as an example mass and only developing sports, then we should give a few specific examples for clarity.
So, one of the conditions, and there are about 15 of them, of fulfilling the requirements of the Regulation on the Unified All-Russian Sports Classification for awarding sports categories and titles is participation in all-Russian competitions:
- for mass sports of national teams or individual athletes from half of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation;
- developing sports of national teams or individual athletes from at least 80% of those regions of the Russian Federation where this type exists.
These requirements apply to both championships and cup competitions, championships in the types of all other official all-Russian competitions. Whatever the athlete’s personal achievements, if the condition of the mandatory number of participants is not fulfilled, his results will not go to the category classification for the assignment of sports categories. Swimming, gymnastics, football in our country are quite developed sports, as a rule, there are no problems with the number of participants, which cannot be said about curling, skiing, sailing, fencing and many others.
By nationality
The classification regulated by ЕВСК is valid in Russia and in some national sports. Even the masters recognized in them will hardly be able to take part in international competitions, but in the Russian Federation it is possible to obtain official ranks and titles from them. For example, in the northern all-around. This sport is widespread in reindeer herding areas of the Far North. The presentation for the assignment of a sports category on it is considered directly in the regions themselves, all-Russian competitions for obvious reasons are not held. In some constituent entities of the Russian Federation, lapta, towns, and other national species are developed. Honorary sports titles at the federal level are assigned to members of the EWSC.
For those who want to reach the top - to win the Olympic Games - it’s worth knowing about some of the nuances of national sports so that you don’t neglect them, choosing the kind that you decide to devote your whole life to. Not so long ago, curling, gaining popularity all over the world, was known only in Scotland. He entered the program of the Olympics only in 1998. And in Nagano, the first sets of awards were played. But few people know about such a sport as herling. Nevertheless, in Europe, this popular national team game in Ireland every year finds an increasing number of supporters. In the West, there is even an active league of curling. There are several dozen such examples of growing sports. Sumo - in Japan, skibob - in Switzerland, kabaddi - in India, etc. However, international recognition is easier to achieve by choosing the more popular.
Ambition or honor?
The most popular sports are included in the programs of the Winter and Summer Olympic Games. For athletes to be selected in the national teams of their countries at the Olympic Games - a minimum program in life. The maximum is to win gold in them. As a rule, athletes of the level not lower than the master of sports of international class go to the Olympics, less often - just masters of sports. A prize in qualifying competitions or a world record - and a well-deserved title is practically in your pocket. The order of assignment of sports categories from third to first is based on the results in competitions of national or regional significance. At this stage of an athlete’s career, there are enough of them. Such competitions are:
- Russian championship;
- Cup of Russia;
- championship of Russia;
- Spartakiad, Universiade, etc.
Another status of competitions, participation in which is a step towards assignment of 1 sports category, is interregional championships of federal districts, championships of subjects, zone competitions. But in the latter, a prerequisite is the performance of teams from two or more federal districts of the Russian Federation. In addition, zonal competitions must be included in the calendar of qualifying competitions for championships or championships of the Russian Federation.
If you look at all the requirements for the status of competitions listed in the Unified All-Russian Sports Classifier, participation or a prize in which can give a chance to assign a rank or title, it becomes clear that athletes’ personal personal achievements are not enough. A number of other conditions must be met.
From amateur to professional
The assignment of sports categories is possible not only in the professional league, but also in the amateur. A good example of this is domestic football. The Russian Football Union carries out general organization over four leagues in descending order:
- Russian Football Premier League (RFPL).
- National Football League (FNL).
- Professional Football League (PFL).
- Amateur Football League (LFL).
In narrow-minded conversations they are called simply: the highest, first, second and third. Assigning sports categories to football players does not affect the division in which they compete. Competitions at their domestic championships are included in the classifier of those that go to the category standings.
When a football player moves from a lower to a higher league, or from an amateur to a professional, if he has the first sports rank, it is easier to get the title of master of sports in an accelerated time, since the rank of the competition will now be more significant. Not only that, teams competing in the professional division - PFL, FNL and RFPL, participate in the Russian Cup. The tournament is held from year to year. Provided that at one stage of the competition a Premier League team enters, even the PFL team not only contributes to participation in the rating tournament, but also meets several additional requirements for becoming a master of sports. Here, the status of referees is higher, and rivals. If, taking part in matches exclusively between teams of his league, a football player can only rely on regional orders for the assignment of sports categories, then an entry in his record book about a duel with a stronger opponent and in a ranked tournament will be more valuable for his future.
A similar transition from amateur to professional is possible in any sport. Crucial here are skill and luck. All categories previously won by an athlete are also appreciated among professionals. They know firsthand what they get at a cost, since they themselves have gone through the same tests before.
For special merits
In addition to three youthful, three sports categories, the titles “master of sports” and “master of sports of international class” for special personal achievements, an athlete can be awarded the honorary title “Honored Master of Sports of Russia”. The provision on its assignment is regulated by article No. 22 329-FZ. This award is rewarded for personal achievements in the sports career of not only performing athletes, but also coaches, referees and even sports commentators. Although, as a rule, the latter just come to television, completing performances due to injury or age. To be awarded the title "Honored Master of Sports of Russia", you must really have significant merit to your country. The requirements for the candidate are almost the same as the conditions for the assignment of sports categories. World record holders, Olympics, Paralympic and Deaflympic Games, regardless of achievements in team or personal appearances, champions of many other international competitions who achieve high performance throughout their careers, sooner or later they will surely receive this honorable recognition at the state level.
However, unlike dischargers, candidates for honored masters of sports need to score a certain amount of qualification points. They are calculated according to the approved scale. For sports included in the program of the Olympic, Deaflympic and Paralympic Games, they are somewhat different from those that are not included in the grid of the listed competitions. In addition, the division is on the team and individual classification. Among the mandatory competitions:
- World Championship.
- World Cup.
- Europe championship.
- European Cup.
- Russian championship.
The periods of assignment of sports ranks and titles to an athlete, the swiftness or measuredness of his career do not play a role here. Calculation of qualification points is only according to the above criteria.
Changing and developing
There are no established standards once and for all for athletes that must be met in order to be able to qualify for the next rank. The skills of athletes are constantly growing, new technologies are being invented to enhance their achievements, an entire industry is working on them: sports equipment, equipment, special devices, a personal nutrition system is being developed, etc. Therefore, the standards for assigning sports categories are often changing. As the Unified All-Russian Sports Classifier is constantly updated, replenished with new types. As for the industry, here are some good examples.
Different national teams can often see different equipment in the same competitions, which can increase the performance of athletes: swimming suits made of a material that makes it easier to overcome water resistance, mastic for skis, which increases sliding, the shape of the bean box, which contributes to a softer cornering , curling stone, car racing tires ... The list goes on.
In addition, the skills of individual athletes, such as, for example, in rhythmic and artistic gymnastics, figure skating, synchronized swimming, etc., also dictate their conditions for amending the qualification system: Korbut loop, Plushenko’s four-piece loop coat, and other new complex elements in the listed sports. As soon as they submit to individual participants in international competitions, the standards for the assignment of sports categories change. Sometimes, to keep up with them, athletes have to work to the limit of their capabilities. Therefore, injuries in sports are high.
Not a business
Despite the multimillion-dollar budgets of the leading Russian sports federations, the acquisition of expensive legionnaires to strengthen inside Russian teams, it should be understood that real skill can not be bought, like a driver’s license, higher education diploma or doctoral degree. Athletes earn all ranks and ranks on their own. Therefore, their test books and certificates of respect are much more than anyone else's. Not a single record is entered without indicating the protocol of the competition, and they cannot be falsified, since according to the Regulation on the assignment of sports categories, each reference to the competition must be certified with signatures and seals. And there are a lot of such lines in the set-off for the next rank.
A package of submission or appeal to the federation of your sport or its regional representative office for the assignment of a category should be prepared on time - within four months from the day the athlete fulfills all the rules and conditions. A statement is signed directly by the trainer or teacher of further education, if it is a youth category. The package of documents should include:
- a copy of the competition protocol or an extract from it, signed by the head judge, confirming that the participant has fulfilled the relevant standards;
- a certificate confirming the qualifications of the judging panel of the indicated competitions;
- A photocopy of the candidate’s passport or birth certificate if he is not yet 14 years old;
- two photos 3 × 4 cm.
To assign the categories of “candidate for master of sports”, “master of sports” and “master of sports of international class”, the requirements for referee signatures on copies of the protocol of competitions are slightly higher, and the trainer also needs to follow this carefully. Such nuances, as a rule, are well-known to both of them; therefore, everyone has a high responsibility for the design of representative documents for discharge.
Of particular importance is the status of judges. So, for the title of the MC, the presence of three judges of the all-Russian category is necessary.For the CCM, two are enough. After reviewing the documents at the Ministry of Sports (and this also has certain timelines and procedures), an order from the Ministry of Sports on assigning sports categories to the declared athletes should be issued. If the award is refused, the reason must be indicated in the response. Sometimes this applies only to the correctness of the paperwork, therefore it is important not to delay the introduction of amendments, so as not to miss the deadlines.