100424 | CZECHOSLOVAKIA. Sokol Gymnastics bronze award Medal.

100424 | CZECHOSLOVAKIA. Bronze award Medal. Issued circa 1945. The Sokol Gymnastics Movement: The Lützow Race (70mm, 123.29 g, 12h). By J. Brůha in Prague.

 

ČLENU VÍTĚZNÉHO DRUŽSTVA V ZÁVODĚ O ŠTÍT LÜTZOVŮV, three nude males right, in athletic poses / ČESKOSLOVENSKÁ OBEC SOKOLSKÁ, three falcons (symbol of the Sokol Movement), with wings spread, standing on outcrop. Edge: Plain. Choice Mint State. Warm brown surfaces.

 

Founded in Prague by Miroslav Tyrš and Jindřich Fügner in 1862, the Sokol movement (sokol meaning 'falcon' in Czech) was rooted in the principle of "a strong mind in a strong body," and aimed to offer physical, moral, and intellectual training for the homeland. In the earlier part of the 20th century, the movement was instrumental in fostering Czech nationalism, with Czechoslovakia formally gaining independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918. Following World War II, fears by the Communist Party of their organizing and nationalism caused their suppression. They were briefly active again during the Prague Spring of 1968, before finally reappearing after the fall of Communism in 1989.

 

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