The RIOU is a legacy initiative of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games ©Getty Images

Students from a Master of Sport Administration course at the Russian International Olympic University (RIOU), a legacy project of the 2014 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Sochi, have taken part in a unique project designed to build understanding and cooperation between countries.

The 19th World Festival of Youth and Students has been taking place since October 14 in Soch and is due to conclude tomorrow at the city's Olympic Park.

In all, more than 20,000 young people from more than 150 countries have been taking part in panel discussions and lectures, as well as cultural events.

Competitions have also taken place in football,  hockey, basketball and "eco-races".

Students from the Russian International Olympic University got hands-on experience at the World Festival of Youth and Students in Sochi ©RIOU
Students from the Russian International Olympic University got hands-on experience at the World Festival of Youth and Students in Sochi ©RIOU

RIOU students have been closely involved in the sports segment of the festival.

"We place a special emphasis on practical management training and provide students with a variety of internship opportunities at sports venues and events, including the 2017 Winter Military World Games, the Organising Committee for the Special Olympics World Winter Games Austria 2017 and the Formula One Russian Grand Prix, and events taking place at the Sochi 2014 Olympic venues," RIOU's rector, Professor Lev Belousov, said:

Belousov added that the students would receive "valuable insights" into the operations behind such events and would keep "reflective diaries" to record their observations, which they would put into a joint final report.