Ivan Pavlovich Zharavin, an 84-year-old man from Novovoronezh, has been running marathons for over 50 years after taking up running as a boy to strengthen his heart against disease. He has now run over 100,000 kilometers in marathons around the world and continues to participate to inspire youth. Zharavin takes part in all local sporting events and is invited to major events elsewhere to represent the oldest active athlete in Voronezh Region. The citizens of Novovoronezh are proud to call him their neighbor and seek to emulate his example of an active lifestyle.

1. Конкурс
«Россия спортивная»
Презентация Крымовой В.В.
г. Нововоронеж

2. Ivan Pavlovich Zharavin is
84 years old and he
inspires everyone in my
town.

3. When Ivan Zharavin was a
boy, the doctors said he had
a serious heart disease. The
boy decided to start running
every day to make his heart
stronger. After some months
of running the boy’s heart
began to work a bit better.
So, little by little, the young
athlete tried to increase the
length of the distances. He
wanted to stop the disease
and become a healthy
person. After some years,
when the surprised doctors
said that his heart was OK,
Ivan didn’t stop running,
because he got used to it and
really loved it. The longer
was the distance the more
excited was Ivan.

4. One day he even managed
to take part in the
marathon. That was a great
day – the beginning of a
new stage in Ivan’s life.
By now, he has been
running marathons for
about 50 years! He has
already run for about
100,000 kilometers in
different marathons in lots
of places!
Ivan Pavlovich Zharavin is
an elderly man but he
continues taking part in
marathons to show young
people and kids that
running is a good way to
keep fit and healthy.
If it is snowy in winter, Ivan
skies instead of running.

5. Ivan Pavlovich takes part
in all sporting events in
our town; he is invited to
major sporting events in
other places.
In recent years, the
athlete has been honored
as the oldest participant
of marathons and sports
competitions.
The citizens of
Novovoronezh are very
proud that the oldest
sportsman of Voronezh
Region lives in our small
town. We look up to him
and try to follow his
example.

6. Ivan Zharavin says that
thanks to taking part in
marathons all over the
country he finally found
the soldier's grave, where
his brother had been
buried. The athlete feels
completely satisfied now.

7. From all kids and adults
of Novovoronezh
to I.P. Zharavin:
Dear Ivan Pavlovich,
We really admire you.
You inspire everyone to go
in for sports and lead a
healthy lifestyle.
Thank you for showing us
the right way to live.