RIOU launched the course here today at a ceremony where Potanin (pictured above), one of Russia's top businessmen, announced that he would offer 20 scholarships to students.

RIOU chief executive Professor Lev Belousov thanked Potanin and spoke of delight at the launch of the new course.

"We are delighted with the success of RIOU's MSA launch, from the University's presentations and two MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) signings, to the VIP panel session and, of course, to the Vladimir Potanin Foundation's generous scholarship gift to the University of 20 scholarships to its first 2013 MSA students," he said.

"This event has been all about what RIOU can offer over and beyond any other master qualifications in sport administration.

"All of us at RIOU are eager to begin teaching our first students who will choose RIOU.

"Not only for its state-of-the-art campus, stunning location, and unique climate but also because of what RIOU can offer.

"A unique and challenging syllabus full of learning experiences passed on from the Sochi 2014 [Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games] Organising Committee, the opportunity to interact and work with international sports events on the University's doorstep, and financial support for those who need it."

Lev Belousov presents at the RIOU MSA launch at Russia.Park

Construction of the new RIOU campus in Sochi will be completed by June 2013, while a fee for the course and accommodation packages will be revealed in the months to come.

A panel discussion was a key part of today's launch, which featured Sochi 2014 President and chief executive Dmitry Chernyshenko, the United Kingdom's Minister of State for Universities and Science David Willetts and International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) President René Fasel.

They were joined by Prince Albert of Monaco, a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and a member of the RIOU board of trustees; Geoff Petts, the chairman of Podium; Russian Parliamentarian and Olympic speed skating champion Svetlana Zhurova; Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) President Alexander Zhukov and Potanin.

Zhukov said that education was key to the Olympic Movement, and that the Russian Government was fully behind the efforts of RIOU, which also has backing from the IOC.

"The Russian Olympic Committee understands very well the great importance of education in general, and Olympic education in particular," he said.

"Education is about knowledge values and professional competence, cornerstones of the Olympic Movement.

"Sport events are becoming increasingly complicated to organise and manage and require well qualified managers."

A panel discussion takes place at the RIOU MSA launch

To demonstrate the depth of backing RIOU has, Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is on the board of trustees of RIOU, sent a message to delegates present.

"Russia can rightly be proud of our outstanding champions, record breaking athletes, tradition and experience in hosting the most prestigious international competitions and commitment to Olympic ideals," he said.

"One of the most important steps is the creation of RIOU in Sochi, fully supported by the IOC, which aims to become internationally recognised as the leading provider of business sports management innovations.

"RIOU will be opening its doors right from the autumn of next year to MSA students all around the world united by their ambition and desire to become leading sports managers.

"I wish them and the RIOU MSA programme every success."

RIOU has to date prepared 900 people through its courses, including members of the Sochi 2014.

It has also held seminars for Russian Ministers of sport and heads of sports commissions, as well as recruiting professors from across the world.

The University is absorbing in full the legacy of Sochi 2014, with the aim of helping spread the knowledge gained across the country, given the number of major sports events being hosted in Russia in the years to come, not least the FIFA World Cup in 2018.

Chernyshenko, a co-founder of the University, said: "I am really pleased to be a co-founder of this unique Olympic university in my native city.

"Sochi is running an outstanding project...it is all about legacy, and Sochi has a special mission to serve as a role model city, not only to inspire neighbours in the region but to create new standards which will be successfully proven and implemented around the country.

"It is much more than just roads and concrete, it is legacy now.

"This is all about the legacy and the most important is not just that Sochi is a one off event but it opens the gates for so many sports events and positive change.

"It has inspired a new generation to participate in sport.

"This all deserved to be analysed to be stored.

"The Olympic university will live forever and for good, and all this knowledge will be collected and stored."

More information for anyone interested is on the website here.

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