In his first visit to the host city of the 2014 Winter Olympics and Paralympics since succeeding Jacques Rogge as President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Bach was shown around the state of the art facilities by Lev Belousov, Rector of the University. 

Bach was particularly complimentary of the Master of Sport Administration (MSA) course, the University's flagship project, which took a first intake in September, including Poland's Olympic gold medal winning swimmer Otylia Jedrzejczak.

Bach gave a speech to the first intake of students before answering their questions about his plans for the Presidency and future of the Olympic Movement.

Thomas Bach speaks to students at RIOU in front of Rector Professor Lev Belousov



After addressing 27 students from 14 different countries, Bach commented "the Russian International Olympic University is a great legacy project of Sochi 2014".

He added: "So I am delighted that on my first visit to Sochi as President of the IOC I was able to meet with its dedicated teaching staff and speak with its talented students who will shape the future of the Olympic Movement.

"The IOC fully supports RIOU in its endeavour to train the next generation of sports managers through its MSA course.

"I have no doubt that sports organisations from around the world will send students to Sochi in order to benefit from this excellent university."

Belousov was pleased to welcome the President.

"I am delighted to welcome IOC President Bach to our Sochi campus to show him around our first-class facilities," he said. 

"Since RIOU formed in 2009, the IOC has offered us every support and I am pleased that we are now repaying this faith through our MSA course which draws on Olympic knowledge and industry expertise to provide a sports education of the highest standard.

"I am confident that, starting with our inaugural intake, RIOU will produce highly qualified and technically skilled managers for the Olympic Movement and the world's sports industry".

Thomas Bach poses alongside students, faculty members and other dignitaries at the RIOU



Dmitry Chernysenko, President and chief executive of Sochi 2014, was also present and he echoed the positive reaction of Bach and Belousov as he explained RIOU's role ahead of the Games.

"I am confident that, starting with our inaugural intake, RIOU will produce highly
qualified and technically skilled managers for the Olympic Movement and the world's
sports industry," he said.

"Just over a month ago, RIOU formally became the curator of the Sochi 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Games archive.

"This archive will store all the data built up by the Sochi 2014 Organising Committee since 2005.

"Through RIOU, it will be transferred to future generations of students, scientists and sports managers from Russia and around the world.

"This was a key element of our vision for RIOU and I was there with IOC President Rogge when he laid the first foundation stone in 2010.

"It gives me great pride to know that the new IOC President has today visited the completed campus that will be supporting the Olympic Movement long after the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games have moved on to the next hosts."