On September 16, 2026, the Regional Center for Adaptive Sports (RCAS) "Parus" from Dzerzhinsk took second place at the IV National Competition with International Participation for Exemplary Sports Facilities "ARENA" in the category "Sports Facilities for Paralympic Sport and Adaptive Physical Culture."[1]

The Competition

The "ARENA" competition is organized by the Olympic Committee of Russia, the Paralympic Committee of Russia, and the Russian Association of Sports Facilities, with support from the Ministry of Sport of the Russian Federation. Its aim is to identify successful practices in the development of sports infrastructure and physical fitness services, including for people with limited mobility.[1] In 2026, the competition received 448 applications from 79 regions of Russia, as well as from Belarus, Azerbaijan, and Armenia. The specialized category in which Parus competed featured 16 institutions.[2]

The awards ceremony for winners and laureates was held in Moscow as part of the conference "The New Reality of Sports Arenas — 2026: Digitalization. Import Substitution. Inclusivity."[1]

The Parus Center

The RCAS "Parus" is located in Dzerzhinsk, Nizhny Novgorod Region, and is a multipurpose facility for training athletes in Paralympic, Deaflympic, and adaptive sports. Only a handful of facilities of this level exist in Russia.[1] The center supports more than 30 sports and sporting disciplines for people with disabilities of all nosological categories, as well as a number of disciplines for able-bodied athletes. The center receives around 8,500 visits per week; more than 900 people are enrolled in sports groups, and over 800 beneficiaries train on an individual basis.[2]

The complex also houses a medical rehabilitation center offering diagnostic services (including ECG) and various forms of rehabilitation following injuries and surgery.[1]

Commenting on the competition results, Nizhny Novgorod Region Minister of Sport Dmitry Kabaylo noted that the center helps residents with disabilities — including combat veterans — to engage in sport and expand their social connections, and congratulated the staff of the facility on the high recognition from the expert panel.[1]

Sources

  1. Vremya N — The Regional Center "Parus" ranked among the best sports facilities for adaptive sport
  2. Newsroom24 — The "Parus" Center in Dzerzhinsk took second place among sports facilities in Russia