Rome, 28th August – The European Olympic Committees (EOC), the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) and the Russian International Olympic University (RIOU) signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC). The ceremony took place at the beginning of the current month, formalising the three parties’ commitment to promote Olympic values and train a new generation of managers for the sports industry in Russia and Europe.

The University website – http://olympicuniversity.ru/web/en – detailed the event. The document was signed last 8th August, by Patrick Hickey President of the EOC and IOC member, Alexander Zhukov President of the ROC, and Professor Lev Belousov RIOU Rector.

During the signing ceremony, each of the representatives underlined how this Memorandum of Cooperation 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.

Further the signature ceremony, President Hickey commented:
“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.”

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.

RIOU campus opens up next 16th September.