On September 20, RIOU hosted the 1st international research-to-practice conference ‘Sochi Olympic Legacy: Growth Areas Recognition’. The conference provided a communication platform for over 200 participants, including Russian and international experts, academics, RIOU students and graduates, renowned athletes, representatives of Sochi authorities and RIOU’s partner organisations, organisers of mega sports events and journalists. 

Each speaker presented their own vision of how to use and enhance the legacy generated by Sochi 2014, but all of them shared a view that the Games added significant momentum to the city’s development turning it into a major business centre and the country’s sports capital. The organisers hope that the conference will become an international platform for knowledge exchange and dialogue among young researchers united by a desire to develop new ideas and research projects for RIOU’s Olympic Legacy Centre.