08 August 2013, Moscow: The European Olympic Committees (EOC), the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) and the Russian International Olympic University (RIOU) today signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) formalising the three parties' commitment to promoting Olympic values and training a new generation of managers for the sports industry in Russia and Europe.
The document was signed by President of the EOC, IOC member Patrick Hickey; President of the ROC, Alexander Zhukov; and RIOU Rector, Professor Lev Belousov. During the signing ceremony, each of the representatives underlined how this MoC will strengthen links between Russia and other National Olympic Committees in Europe, as well as create new opportunities for developing Olympic legacy whilst preserving its staple attributes.
Alexander Zhukov said:
"This Memorandum provides new prospects for cooperation between the ROC, the EOC and RIOU in the field of sports projects and education. Today is another significant step towards Russia's preparation for hosting the world's most iconic sports events such as the IAAF World Championships, the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the Ice Hockey World Championship and the FIFA World Cup. The Memorandum means Russia is better positioned to harness the significant event-hosting knowledge we will receive from these events and pass it on to our European colleagues. I am sure such an exchange will benefit all parties."
Patrick Hickey said:
"Russia is one of the most prominent sporting hosts in the world and it is absolutely right that they are also taking a lead in sports education. RIOU is ideally placed in Sochi to become a centre of Olympic academia and at the same time it is the perfect place to learn about the practical side of organising major sporting events.
"I had the honour of giving a lecture at RIOU in 2011 and I am sure that students starting in September will be impressed with the high level of resources and expertise that will be available. I am delighted that the EOC has signed this Memorandum today and I look forward to all parties working together to further promote Olympism throughout Europe."
Professor Lev Belousov said:
"RIOU will be the main recipient of Sochi 2014's legacy, both in practical and intellectual terms. RIOU's academic staff will integrate this legacy into their sports management teachings on our inaugural MSA course, which starts in September. Eighteen professors from 10 different countries will teach an equally varied group of students, hailing from diverse backgrounds within the sports world, including employees from EOC member NOCs such as Poland and Germany. Our University will therefore be a unique breeding ground for developing ideas to enhance the Olympic Movement and sport as a whole."
The Chairman of the RIOU Board of Trustees is the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, and its Deputy Chairman is Dmitry Chernyshenko, President and CEO of the Sochi 2014 Organising Committee, thereby making RIOU an establishment cemented firmly in both Russian and Olympic history.
The University is based in Sochi - the host city for the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games – and offers unique programmes infused with Olympic values and experiences. RIOU's activities concentrate on training specialists in sports management for the Russian and international sports industry, and the Olympic and Paralympic Movements. The University's educational programmes cover the main aspects of sports education: venue and infrastructure management, competitions, mass communications, diplomacy and administration, and career management.
