On October 15, 2018 a delegation from the University of Sigmund Freud (Austria) visited the Russian International Olympic University. The visit was organized at the initiative of RIOU's Partner, the Rosa Khutor Alpine Resort. The delegation was led by Professor Rudolf Leber, Head of the Board of Directors of the Vienna Sports Development Institute.

During the visit, the guests from Austria met with Vice-Rector Irina Badayan, toured the campus, saw the infrastructure of the university, discussed a variety of questions, including  the prospects for collaboration in areas such as student and faculty exchange.

According to Professor Leber, Sigmund Freud University (which includes the Vienna Sports Development Institute) offers its students the humanitarian disciplines focusing on the study of psychotherapy and psychology. This year, the pilot programs "Sports Medicine" and "Sports Psychology" were launched.

Representatives of the Vienna Sports Development Institute expressed a particular interest in partnering with RIOU in two vectors: the development of joint educational programs and research activities.