Czech Olympic Committee signs MoU with Russian International Olympic University

The Czech Olympic Committee (COV) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the highly respected Russian International Olympic University (RIOU), with the aim of enhancing cooperation in the area of sports management.

The agreement, which is guided by the provisions of the Olympic Charter, is the latest development of the COV’s international sports diplomacy programme. Vice-President Roman Kumpost signed the MoU on behalf of the COV, whilst RIOU Rector, Academician of the Russian Academy of Education, Professor Lev Belousov represented RIOU. Kumpost was accompanied by COV Athletes’ Committee member and former Olympic alpine skier Klára Křížová, who has been studying the Sports diplomacy programme. The programme has been designed by the COV to strengthen the number of Czech and Slovak sport representatives within international sport organisations where they can then promote the interests of the region.

The MoU is based on the COV’s recognition of the importance of education in the development of future sport’s leaders. The agreement is aimed at providing training and professional development to sports management specialists, based on advanced educational technologies and methods, and to facilitate the sharing of best practice in the areas of education, research and culture.

The MoU will also enable scholarships to be granted to candidates nominated by the COV. The mutually beneficial agreement will include the opportunity for RIOU students to partake in internships at events organised by the COV. There will also be the mutual exchange of invitations to participate in congresses, conferences, seminars and educational programmes.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, COV Vice-President Roman Kumpost said:

"The Czech Olympic Committee’s sports diplomacy programme started two years ago, and today’s MoU with RIOU is another important step in the development of this successful project. We firmly believe that cooperation is key to the international development of sport. This agreement with RIOU will bring people together using two great tools: education and sport. We are excited by the opportunities that this MoU will create, and we thank our friends at RIOU for working with us in the important exchange of knowledge and experience."

RIOU Rector, Academician of the Russian Academy of Education, Professor Lev Belousov said:

"Our cooperation with Europe, its National Olympic Committees is traditionally the important zone of development within our international affairs. We are delighted to have established this partnership with the NOC of Czech Republic, the sixth NOC we have got the signed agreement, and offer our professional resources and the best educational methodologies to Czech specialists."

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