Program that whips children into shape

MOSCOW—President Vladimir Putin called for the revival of a Soviet-era physical education program Wednesday that whipped children into shape for sportsmanship and defense of the socialist empire.
Its not clear whether Mr. Putin intends to bring back the old Soviet program's warlike curriculum, such as rifle practice and throwing a hand grenade.
Mr. Putin, a black belt in judo, said that the restoration of GTO, the Russian acronym for Ready for Labor and Defense, would teach children to "to stand up for themselves, their family and, in the final run, the Fatherland." In the past few months officials who back Mr. Putin have been calling for a return to the GTO as part of school curriculum.

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