The article presents a historical and biographical portrait of the first and last Chief Observer of the population's physical development in the Russian Empire, General Vladimir Nikolaevich Voeykov, a statesman of the early 20th century. The mythologization of the image of a member of the Suite of Emperor Nicholas II by his contemporaries left an imprint on the tradition of negative coverage of the general’s activities, both in Soviet and modern Russian historiography. Nevertheless, Voeykov’s contribution to the organization of physical education in the army, the development of civil physical education, sports and the Olympic movement was very progressive and relevant both from the domestic political point of view (improving the standard of living and public health) and foreign policy (Russia's inclusion in the world sports movement). The sources of the study are archival materials, clerical documents and some sources of personal origin.
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