It is the second time the joint programme will take place, with Canada’s Christina Smith having been the first athlete to take advantage of the scholarship, after being selected for the 2015 to 2016 year.

Open to active or retired IBSF athletes, the programme is offered in the English language and covers tuition fee and accommodation at the university campus, which is located in Sochi.

The programme will take place across three semesters from September 2016 to June 2017, with the selected athlete required to reside at the campus full-time during the 39 weeks of study.

“It is with profound gratitude that I extend my sincerest appreciation and heartfelt thanks to the IBSF for the tremendous academic opportunity to do a Master’s in Sport Administration at the RIOU,” said Smith, reflecting on her experiences on the programme.

“Being a bobsleigh Olympian from the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic Winter Games, I am humbled by the honour of representing our sliding sport community, as well as embrace the challenge of the superior education at the world class legacy facility from the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia."

Smith added: “RIOU exposes me to learn from world renowned academic professors from around the globe and provides me the opportunity to collaborate, exchange and explore different views from colleagues coming from 17 diverse nations.

“RIOU provides its students with an exclusive opportunity to graduate with the Olympic brand associated with its international degree creating future leaders with academic prestige and marketable appeal.”

Candidates must complete a MSA Application form and send it to [email protected] by May 13.

Following the deadline, the IBSF will then select a candidate and make a recommendation to the RIOU, with the athlete then required to apply to the university through their online registration form.

The RIOU Admissions Board will then examine the application and inform the candidate of a decision by around mid-June.