Sokol movement

Sokol (Czech for "falcon") was founded in 1862 by Miroslav Tyrš and Jindřich Fűgner, it is one of the oldest and largest gymnastics organizations. The Sokol was inspired by German gymnastic associations and from the beginning was purely apolitical and focused on physical and moral growth of the Czech nation.

 

Over the years, the Sokol has contributed to the construction of race tracks, playgrounds and gyms. During the First World War the Czech Sokol community was disbanded, but the Sokols were still active in the domestic resistance. The Sokol was banned again during World War II., restored after the end of the war and banned again in 1956 by the Communist Party. After the Velvet Revolution, the association was re-established and underwent a major renewal.