ANOC Begins Search for 2014-15 RIOU Scholars

The Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) is welcoming applications from NOCs for its two scholarships to study on the second Master of Sports Administration (MSA) course at the Russian International Olympic University (RIOU) in Sochi.

As part of ANOC’s commitment to disseminating best practice amongst its 204 member NOCs, ANOC will allocate two full scholarships – courtesy of the Vladimir Potanin Foundation – to talented individuals currently working within the ANOC family to study on RIOU’s second MSA programme, which runs from September 2014 until June 2015.

ANOC President Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al-Sabah said:

"ANOC’s mission is to provide the very highest level of service to its NOCs and lead them in raising professional standards and sharing global best practices. As ANOC’s members come from all over the world we need to be innovative in our thinking and in the actions we take. Being part of an Olympic legacy project like RIOU is an excellent way to achieve this.

"These scholarships also give us a chance to offer opportunities to NOCs who may otherwise find their options restricted due to limited resources They will provide scholars with access to some of the very best experts in the sports industry and their exposure to international best practice will equip them to contribute actively to the long-term development of their own and other NOCs in the future. I would like to thank Vladimir Potanin and his foundation for donating these scholarships to ANOC."

RIOU’s first MSA intake consisted of 27 students from 14 different countries. Their study schedule was designed to combine traditional lectures and seminars with workshops, case studies, interactive classes as well as practical experience with the Sochi 2014 Organising Committee during both the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in February and March this year.

ANOC Secretary General Gunilla Lindberg added:

"We are delighted to be able to offer talented and ambitious NOC administrators the opportunity to study on RIOU’s MSA course in the next academic year.

"Our current scholars are learning an incredible amount on the inaugural MSA. Their participation in observer programmes at Sochi 2014 combined with the expert teaching of RIOU’s lecturers has significantly enhanced their knowledge base of Olympic Movement operations and organisations. We look forward to receiving applications for the next academic year from ANOC family employees and I would encourage all our members to put forward suitable candidates."

RIOU Rector Professor Lev Belousov said:

"I believe the opportunities for MSA students at RIOU are unparalleled within sport. We have a state-of-the-art campus with exceptional facilities and a faculty of lecturers drawn from a very wide pool of specialisms. We are also the direct beneficiaries of all the data and best-practice knowledge collected by the Sochi 2014 Organising Committee over the past seven years. For sports managers looking to develop new skills and broaden their knowledge base, our MSA is the ideal career booster. The ANOC scholars on the current course have been model students and it will be great to continue ANOC’s presence at RIOU next year with two more scholars."

Applications for scholarships are now open and need to be received by ANOC before April 15th 2014.

For more information about RIOU and the MSA course, please check the RIOU Website.

20 Years at #1: