Sochi, Russia – With the Olympic games just three years away, members of Sochi's administration office are preparing for the international stage with specialized training from the Russian International Olympic University (RIOU).

14 city staff successfully completed the course "Project Management Tools Based on PMI Standards", conducted by RIOU coach, Maria Romanova. With a PhD in Economics, Romanova is recognized as one of the top Russian Project Management experts.

As part of the curriculum, participants mastered new skills imperative for successfully managing projects for the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games. The course is part of a broader spectrum of sports and management programs being offered by the RIOU (more than 200 participants from the Organizing Committee).

In recognition of their completion of the course, certificates were awarded by the RIOU in a small ceremony held in Sochi. During the awards presentation, RIOU CEO, Prof. Lev Belousov noted that the success of the Games depends largely upon the level of coordination between different municipal services. "It's in Sochi that we envisage our future: the campus is already under construction in the city center. I am convinced that our university will become one of the landmarks of a new Sochi – an intellectual center of the South of Russia. We will have leading Russian and foreign scholars, creating a communication platform for the world's sporting elite", said Belousov.

Anatoly Pakhomov, Mayor of Sochi, expressed his gratitude to Belousov and the RIOU team for the exceptional quality of the training, adding "sustainable development of the city can only be ensured through professional growth of the municipal managers. I hope that the city management trainings will continue."

Head of Sochi Office of the Organizing Committee, Alexey Khraban, confirmed that RIOU training courses are on the front burner and highly sought after among Olympic organizations.