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| Trump signs executive order to bring back presidential fitness test in schools | Trump signs executive order to bring back presidential fitness test in schools |
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| The physical test, which included a one-mile run, sit-ups, pull-ups and push-ups, was suspended 12 years ago | The physical test, which included a one-mile run, sit-ups, pull-ups and push-ups, was suspended 12 years ago |
| Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday to bring back the presidential fitness test, a series of physical tests for schoolchildren in the US that was in place for decades but suspended 12 years ago to focus less on competition and more on healthy lifestyles. | Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday to bring back the presidential fitness test, a series of physical tests for schoolchildren in the US that was in place for decades but suspended 12 years ago to focus less on competition and more on healthy lifestyles. |
| Trump announced the test’s revival in a press event with famous athletes, praising the golfers, football players and a pro-wrestler for their achievements and physiques. The executive order will also re-establish the president’s council on sports, fitness, and nutrition. | |
| “This is an important step in our mission to make America healthy again,” Trump said in a press conference on Thursday. “It’s something that’s very important, what we’re doing, very important. Dating back to the administration of President Dwight D Eisenhower, this council has championed the vigor and strength and vitality of the American people today. We continue that very proud tradition.” | |
| The presidential fitness test was required in public schools in some form from the late 1950s until 2013, when it was changed into a program less focused on specific feats of strength. | The presidential fitness test was required in public schools in some form from the late 1950s until 2013, when it was changed into a program less focused on specific feats of strength. |
| The test involves activities like a one-mile run, sit-ups, push-ups, pull-ups and a sit-and-reach. People who participated in the program as children often have memories , both fond and not, of their experiences attempting these challenges in their gym classes. | The test involves activities like a one-mile run, sit-ups, push-ups, pull-ups and a sit-and-reach. People who participated in the program as children often have memories , both fond and not, of their experiences attempting these challenges in their gym classes. |
| “It was a big deal. This was a wonderful tradition, and we’re bringing it back,” Trump said. “It’s turned out to be very, very popular to do.” | “It was a big deal. This was a wonderful tradition, and we’re bringing it back,” Trump said. “It’s turned out to be very, very popular to do.” |
| Robert F Kennedy Jr, the health secretary, will administer the fitness program. There will also be criteria for a “presidential fitness award”. In past iterations of the program, the top 15% of performers would receive the award. | Robert F Kennedy Jr, the health secretary, will administer the fitness program. There will also be criteria for a “presidential fitness award”. In past iterations of the program, the top 15% of performers would receive the award. |
| “MAKE AMERICA FIT AGAIN!” Karoline Leavitt , the White House press secretary, wrote in a post on X about reintroducing the test. The fitness test aligns with the make America healthy again movement’s focus on physical wellness and exercise. | “MAKE AMERICA FIT AGAIN!” Karoline Leavitt , the White House press secretary, wrote in a post on X about reintroducing the test. The fitness test aligns with the make America healthy again movement’s focus on physical wellness and exercise. |
| Trump, an avid golfer, reportedly believes exercise is “misguided”, as a person is “born with a finite amount of energy”, the New Yorker reported in 2017. | Trump, an avid golfer, reportedly believes exercise is “misguided”, as a person is “born with a finite amount of energy”, the New Yorker reported in 2017. |