The Russian International Olympic University (RIOU) held a graduation ceremony for students completing its flagship programmes: Master of Sports Management, Russian-language Master of Sport Administration and international English-language Master of Sport Administration.
Diplomas were awarded to 75 graduates from different 10 countries (Armenia, Botswana, China, India, Malawi, Pakistan, Russia, South Africa, Uganda, Zimbabwe) and 24 regions of the Russian Federation, certifying their qualifications as sports managers. The cohort included Olympic and Paralympic champions, sports federation leaders, coaches, employees of sports organisations, and entrepreneurs.
RIOU Rector, full member of the Russian Academy of Education, Professor Lev Belousov opened the ceremony, saying:
"The 12th cohort graduating from RIOU's flagship courses marks another milestone in the university's journey. We remain the only Olympic university globally recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and serve as an IOC Olympic Studies Centre. This year, we earned recognition from another international body: the International University Sports Federation (FISU) awarded RIOU the Healthy Campus label for an exceptional student learning environment – a distinction held by only around 100 universities worldwide".
The Class of 2025 includes 24 participants and 12 medallists of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and 40 Russian international-class athletes. Forty-three Russian athletes were supported in their studies by grants from the Russian Olympians Foundation. The Foundation's Executive Director Alexander Katushev said:
"The Russian Olympians Foundation celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. For over half of that time, we have worked together with RIOU. About 200 highly-skilled managers have been trained and now work across 54 Russian regions. A substantive discussion on improving sports management quality at all levels recently took place at SPIEF [St. Petersburg International Economic Forum]. The joint programmes of RIOU and the Foundation directly address these needs. I confirm that our cooperation will continue into the 2025/2026 academic year."
The graduates had showcased their sports skills the previous day during the Star Start festival, celebrating International Olympic Day. Masterclasses in boxing, beach volleyball and wushu led by elite athletes attracted many locals and holiday makers, becoming the highlight of the sports festival.
Words of encouragement were delivered by Chair of the RIOU Examination Board René Fasel and other board members: Alexey Obvintsev, Rector of Smolensk State University of Sport; Andrey Selsky, Director of the Centre for Research on Advanced Competencies and Talent Development at HSE University; Lev Shagarov, Director of Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development at Krasnaya Polyana JSC; and Yury Yuryev, Advisor to the President of the Russian Volleyball Federation.
Sochi Mayor Andrey Proshunin was represented by Anatoly Miroshnikov, Director of the Sochi Administration's Department of Fitness and Sport. He said:
"Notably, over 90 Sochi residents have completed RIOU courses since the university's founding in 2014. Today, they lead major sports and cultural institutions in the city, work in local government – including our Department – and run successful businesses. I congratulate RIOU’s new graduates, and I am confident that their diplomas will be key tools for reaching new professional heights."
In response, the graduates expressed gratitude to the university's leadership and faculty, praising RIOU's comfortable learning environment. In 2025, FISU granted RIOU the Healthy Campus label, certifying the university’s high standards for students’ physical health and mental well-being. RIOU became the 10th Russian institution and ranks among the global top 100 with this quality mark.
The ceremony concluded with the traditional Graduates' Oath and a group photo, symbolising the unity of the new generation of sports leaders.
