May 10, 2016 (Sochi), the partnership agreement between the Russian Olympic Committee and the MMC Norilsk Nickel was signed at the Russian International Olympic University (RIOU). Under this contract the parties will actively promote Olympic educational programmes at RIOU. It will mark a new phase in the University's development.
The event was attended by the ROC President Alexander Zhukov, the MMC Norilsk Nickel President Vladimir Potanin and the RIOU Rector Lev Belousov.
The Welcome Ceremony was opened by Lev Belousov:
"We are very pleased that signing of the partnership agreement between the Russian Olympic Committee and the MMC Norilsk Nickel takes place at RIOU. The University continues its stable development which was once started by its founders. The RIOU has its own unique identity and is cemented firmly in the Olympic Movement. We hope that this cooperation agreement will give the University additional opportunities in the field of Russian sports industry development".
The ROC President Alexander Zhukov:
"We have signed an important partnership agreement with one of the largest Russian companies. Norilsk Nickel is famous not only for its work on the domestic and international market, but also for its active support of sporting and charity programmes. Our partnership includes cooperation in several areas in the framework of the ROC programmes. First of all, its the assistance in preparation of our athletes for the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and Pyeongchang.
In addition, our new partner will assist in the implementation of the Team Russia national project, aimed at uniting all Russian athletes who stand for the national teams and their fans, and the Olympic educational programmes at RIOU. This should ensure training of the highly qualified specialists in the field of sports management with a wide range of skills.
Our country today lacks qualified sports managers. This applies to sports federations and clubs. In this context, RIOU is a very good platform for the preparation of such specialists. The University has a great experience, based on hosting the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Sochi. The signing of a cooperation agreement between the ROC and the MMC Norilsk Nickel is a new stage in the development of Olympic education. I am sure that the cooperation will be fruitful and will bring tangible benefits to Russian sport and society as a whole", - summed up the ROC President.
"Today nothing happens accidentally, - said the President of Norilsk Nickel Vladimir Potanin. - The Russian Olympic Movement and the ROC are passing through a very important and difficult stage. Russian sports will soon face a serious test.
The Sochi Olympic Games have set a very high standard, both in terms of organisation and in terms of sporting results. It is extremely difficult to maintain this standard. I am glad that we are concluding an agreement with the organisation, headed by a man, who is not only indifferent to sports, but also understands it.
In its social programmes Norilsk Nickel pays special attention to sport and healthy lifestyle. I am confident that the cooperation agreement will be successfully implemented. The essential element of the Agreement is to maintain educational programmes at RIOU.
The University is young but very ambitious. Its history can be traced back for more than 10 years, from the time when the idea was first conceived. Since that time the University has become recognizable and popular throughout the world. I would like to commend the work of the RIOU Rector Lev Belousov and his team. I hope that the University will always remind us of the Sochi Olympic Games which I think were the best Games in history. That is also because our country has won the team event. The Russian Olympic Movement has a future, and it largely depends on the people working in the sports industry. Staff training is something that RIOU can do successfully. And Norilsk Nickel and the Russian Olympic Committee will not stand back. I wish RIOU every success and prosperity", - summed up Vladimir Potanin.
