The Daily BuzzDo 30 squats to ride on Moscow metro for free
As part of the zealous promotion for Russia’s upcoming Sochi Olympics spectacular, the Moscow metro is offering an alternative to its ticket machines and their queues. It is combining a keep-fit theme and making an attractive offer to commuters; get some gain from the pain and ride the train for free.
The scheme is getting plenty of support from Russian sports stars and Olympic athletes as the country cranks up the welcome ahead of all the expected international visitors.
“When the Russian Olympic Committee developed this project, we wanted to show that each person is a part of the Olympic movement, of the Olympic Games, of the Olympic ideals,” said synchronised swimming champion Maria Kiseleva.
Or they may just be broke and stumbling home after a night out, in which case exercise will be useful in a Russian winter.
“If you try hard and set a goal you can come and do enough squats to earn a monthly or yearly pass, so why not?” said one enterprising commuter, Oleg.
Still, anti-obesity campaigners might take note of the initiative and make some proposals of their own to reward us for taking more exercise, in which case the Olympic spirit will have worked its magic.
Want to ride on the Moscow metro for free? Bend and give me 30 squats.
That's the message the Russian transit authority is sending its residents as part of a campaign promoting the Sochi Olympics next year and encouraging Russians to work those glutes.
Agence France-Presse reports the Olympic Committee presented a new addition to the subway system on Friday: a machine that will let passengers ride free if they perform 30 squats within two minutes. A trip on the train normally costs 96 cents and commuters who aren't ready for a sweat can still pay the fare.
AFP reported Moscow's buses will soon have exercise bands in place of handles and the Olympic Committee will install stationary bikes where people can charge their mobile phones with pedal power.
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A video posted to YouTube shows children and older people alike bopping up and down for a free ride.
The president of the Russian Olympic Committee, Alexander Zhukov, told Ria-Novosti the machine was designed to get people thinking active.
“We wanted to show that the Olympic Games is not just an international competition that people watch on TV, but that it is also about getting everyone involved in a sporting lifestyle,” Zhukov told the news agency.
The publicity effort follows waves of controversy surrounding the Sochi Olympics, including international outrage at Russia's implementation of anti-gay laws.
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