Commuters sometimes complain when they arrive at the train station and realize they have run out of rides on their metro card. Their groans may take a different form this week, however, as riders will be offered the opportunity to do exercises for tickets.
A vending machine that will sell single tickets for squats instead of money will be installed in western Moscow as part of the government's attempt to promote a healthy lifestyle ahead of the Sochi Olympics in February, an announcement on the Russian Olympic Committee's website said Friday.
The machine will be planted at Vystavochnaya station on the Filyovskaya line and will sell one ticket in exchange for 30 knee bends instead of 30 rubles ($0.9) for a one-way trip.
"A special device will count the squats using modern technologies," the Olympic Committee's announcement said, without elaborating.
The opening ceremony will be hosted by the committee's chief, Alexander Zhukov, and Olympic champion gymnasts Alexei Nemov and Yelena Zamolodchikova, who will probably look less ridiculous than most Muscovites doing squats at a metro station.
More similar machines are planned for other metro stations in the future, though it is not yet clear when and where they will be installed.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.