On 18-19 July the city of Kazan – the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan – hosts participants and guests of the International Fair Play Committee (CIFP). The CIFP – an international non-governmental organization created in 1963 – advocates the principles of integrity and dignity in sport. It appeared at the time when sport was experiencing serious transformations on the way from the original romantic concept developed by the founder of the modern Olympic movement Pierre de Coubertin to a commercialized occupation. In this new paradigm winning at any cost became prevailing which did not add moral value to sport. The establishment of the CIFP itself could not change the situation in a flash but the activities of the organization definitely stimulated some positive change in the course of time. The principles of Fair Play are now part and parcel of the policies of any sporting organization. In order to encourage athletes to observe the principles of Fair Play the CIFP annually presents the Awards in recognition of their contribution to the movement. It is for the first time that the Award Ceremony takes place in Russia. The other CIFP events in Kazan include: International Congress "Fair Play – Dignity and Achievements in Sport"; CIFP administration council session; master classes by the sports celebrities for the young athletes of the Republic of Tatarstan.

RIOU Rector Professor Lev Belousov made a presentation at the panel discussion of the Fair Play Congress which focused on the new education strategies to train managers for the sports industry. He also confirmed RIOU's commitment to the Fair Play values and illustrated how RIOU is influenced by these values in its educational activities.