RIOU’s students on the MSA (Master of Sport Administration) course passed their observation practice at the 2014 Russian Grand Prix. Running from October 6 to 12, this practice programme specially designed by RIOU professors and Sochi Autodrom specialists included visits to venues and presentations by key officials from the Organising Committee. Interaction with professionals during the preparations and staging of a F1 championship provided the students with an excellent opportunity to experience the breadth and depth of the organisation of a high-profile sporting event, as well as invaluable behind-the-scene insights and practical knowledge of the management and marketing of sporting events.
Then, RIOU students met with key officials from Sochi Autodrom last week to engage in an official debrief following their participation in the innovative observation programme at the 2014 Formula 1 Russian Grand Prix.
Now RIOU students share insights from Russian Grand Prix observation programme and debrief:
Parth Kalke, MSA student (India):
The F1 debrief meeting was truly a learning experience for us as future sports managers, as was the whole F1 internship programme organized by RIOU. It was our first practical training at a sporting event and it let us see the mechanic of sport event management from inside and opened us the doors to an exciting sports world which we’ll enter after graduation. At the F1 Russian Grand Prix I was responsible for running the Main Spectator Stand. We rendered all-round support to spectators and even worked with some dignitaries. The F1 venue managers were very cooperative and gave us all necessary guidance and valuable professional instructions. At the debrief meeting we shared our impressions, insights and analytical reviews with the Russian Grand Prix Director Mr.Sergey Vorobyev who invited us to join the team of the Sochi Autodrom once our studies are finished.
Parth Kalke with Dmitry Peskov, press spokesman for the President of the Russian Federation at the Sochi Autodrom.
Vadim Pavlov, MSA student (Russia):
During the internship at the F1 Grand Prix Russia I worked in the Main Media Centre which served a hub for all Russian and international journalists. I had a unique experience in learning how to manage media relations at mega sporting events. Last week we participated in a F1 debrief conference held in our University where we presented the reports on our internship experience. As all students were working across different event functions - main media centre, main operations centre, main spectator stand, to name a few – the conference turned out to be an enriching practical seminar which allowed an exchange of perspectives to evaluate the event as a whole and from different angles. By the end of the conference which flew in a flash, we became reassured that the Russian Grand Prix was a real success and one of the best editions of the F1 competition so far. That view was by the way proved by the feedback received from many foreign guests and journalists.
Prof. James Skinner, MSA teacher (Australia):
Russian International Olympic University Master of Sport Administration students presented the findings from their research at the first F1 debrief conference. The conference was a joint initiative between the Russian International Olympic University and the Russian Grand Prix Organizing Committee and included a keynote speech from the F1 Director Mr. Sergey Vorobyev. Mr Vorobyev provided a post race analysis of the Formula 1 event and took questions from an audience made up of media representatives, leading experts in the field, government officials and Master of Sport Administration students. The event provided a great opportunity for students to put the theory they have learnt in the classroom into practice. Students collected data on specific issues and presented their analysis of the information to the invited guests. The conference was successful for all involved and provides another example of how the Formula 1 can extend opportunities and benefits to the broader Sochi community.
