Registration for delegates to attend the launch event on July 30 has officially opened at www.riou-msa-launch.com.

The RIOU, launched in the wake of Sochi's successful bid to host the 2014 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, is the world's first university dedicated to sport business education and has the backing of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). 

Its Board of Trustees is headed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The MSA course will be the centrepiece of RIOU's global programme and it is hoped to attract students from all over the world for the course which will be based in Sochi, although there will be a limited number of distance learning opportunities.

"We are delighted that RIOU has the opportunity to unveil its new and innovative MSA syllabus during the London 2012 Games," said Professor Lev Belousov (pictured above), the chief executive of the RIOU. 

"Since its creation in 2008, RIOU has enjoyed support from the IOC and the whole of the Olympic Movement.

"I look forward to hearing the views of our high profile panellists from the worlds of politics, business and international sport."

Among the panellists set to lecture on the course is Alexander Zhukov, the former Deputy Prime Minister of Russia who is now the President of the Russian Olympic Committee. 

Others being lined up to give lectures include Dmitry Chernyshenko, the President and chief executive of Sochi 2014, and René Fasel, the President of the International Ice Hockey Federation and one of the IOC's most influential members.

"The establishment of RIOU was one of the key pillars in Sochi 2014's legacy commitment to the international Olympic Movement," said Chernyshenko.

"We keep our promises.

"We are ready to welcome the Olympic world to Sochi to test the Sochi 2014 Olympic spirit as well as get best in class sport business education."

The University has also been boosted by the signing of a Agreement of Cooperation and Partnership with PwC, the Official Professional Services Provider for Sochi 2014.

Under the Agreement, the cooperation between RIOU and PwC will aim at training managerial staff, carrying out scientific and practical research, fostering sustainable development and preserving the legacy of the Sochi 2014 Games, as well as realising innovative educational projects and disseminating experience gained in Russia and around the world.


Bob Gruman (pictured above centre), who in addition to leading PwC Russia's business consulting practice is also the network of audit-consulting firms' Global Relationship Partner for the Olympic Movement, has accepted an invitation to become a member of the University Expert Council.

"The Olympic and Paralympic Games are more than just sport competitions," he said.

"They are a real opportunity to create favorable conditions for socioeconomic development and lasting positive change.

"Education is a crucial factor in achieving this goal. Managers who participate in preparing and staging the Games, as well as sports managers who receive education at the Russian International Olympic University will be a substantial contribution to the workforce potential within the industry.

"The goals of the Russian International Olympic University are large in scale and correspond to the strategic goals of the country."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]

Pictures by Aleksandra Sersniova


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