The main goals of the forum are to create opportunities for studying and sharing the best practices of volunteer projects and programmes for major international events.

It also aims to provide an effective communication platform for the development of student volunteer communities.

Experts are at the forum representing FISU, the World Anti-Doping Agency, the International Olympic Committee and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, as well as participants from Organising Committees of future international sporting events.

The forum is due to conclude on Saturday (July 8).

Matytsin praised the role of volunteers in sport and hoped everyone in attendance would benefit from the inaugural event.

"Russia continues to demonstrate its openness and commitment to the ideals of Olympism," Matytsin said.

"I am confident that the participants here will feel this atmosphere and take a real vision of this back to their countries."

Matytsin was joined by Olympic gold medallist figure skater Alexei Yagudin, also a four-time world champion.

He believes that volunteers are critical in ensuring major events ran smoothly.

"Without volunteers, sport in the world would not be so successful,” Yagudin, winner of the men's singles at Salt Lake City 2002, said.

"I am happy to see a big delegation of Russians here, some of whom will go to Taipei for the 2017 Summer Universiade later this year.

"Travels like that will be so useful for future leaders of the volunteer sector.

"It is an invaluable experience, which they can then utilise when we host the 2019 Universiade in Russia."