Officials from the three parties - EOC President Patrick Hickey (pictured top, centre), ROC President Alexander Zhukov (pictured top, left) and RIOU Rector Lev Belousov (pictured top, right) 0 today signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC), which they say will strengthen links between Russia and other European Olympic Committees.

Hickey said he is "looking forward to all parties working together to further promote Olympism throughout Europe".

"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," he added.

"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."

Meanwhile, Belousov said that the MoC has come at the ideal time ahead of next year's Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Sochi.

"RIOU will be the main recipient of Sochi 2014's legacy, both in practical and intellectual terms," he explained.

"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."

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