The Russian Report - Memorandum with Europe, Olympic University; Record IAAF Participation

(ATR)ROC, EOC and RIOU Sign Memorandum of Cooperation

ROC, EOC and RIOU officials sign the memorandum of cooperation. (RIOU) On August 8, the European Olympic Committees, the Russian Olympic Committee and the Russian International Olympic University signed a memorandum of cooperation. The parties officially formalized the agreement on common activities to promote Olympic values and professional training of the new generation of sport managers in Russia and Europe.

The document was signed by ROC President Alexander Zhukov, EOC President and IOC Member Patrick Hickey and RIOU Rector Professor Lev Belousov. During the ceremony the parties emphasized the key importance of the memorandum in strengthening cooperation between the NOCs of Europe and Russia and to find opportunities for securing and developing an Olympic legacy.

ROC President Zhukov said: "This memorandum suggests to us the new prospects of cooperation in the field of sports projects and education. Today Russia is in the beginning of a very important way, it is going to host such major sports events as the IAAF World Championships in Moscow 2013, Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, the 2018 FIFA World Cup and many others. Thus we will create a substantial legacy. I believe that such an exchange will be useful for all the participants."

The EOC President Patrick Hickey said: "Russia is one of the world’s leading countries in organizing sport events, that is why its leadership in sport education is obvious. The location of the RIOU in Sochi makes this University not just a science and education centre but a venue for practical research in the field of sport project organization.

"I was honored to read the lecture in the RIOU in 2011 and I am confident that its students will be impressed by the high level of resources and experts of the University," Hickey added. "I am glad that the EOC signed this agreement today and I look very much forward to common work with our new partners in promotion of the Olympic education all over Europe."

RIOU Rector Lev Belousov also emphasized: "The Olympic University is the main successor of the intellectual property of the XXII Olympic and XI Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi. We have gathered the best educational resources in the field of sport management for MSA Programme. 18 professors from 10 countries including European will start their lectures in September. The students audience will also be multi-national and will include representatives of the European NOCs. The RIOU will become a unique venue for the experts’ dialogue and for finding out the solutions for the successful future of the Olympic family and sport in general."

Moscow Hosts IAAF World Championships with Record Participation

A record number of 206 countries will participate in the 2013 Athletics World Championships. (Getty Images)

From the August 10-18, Moscow hosts the IAAF World Athletics Championships for the first time. Athletes from 206 countries are competing for 48 medal sets. The number of participating countries is a record, surpassing the 200 mark set in 1999 and 2009.

Along with the Universiade in Kazan in July, the World Championships have become one of the key sports events of the year in Russia. ROC President Alexander Zhukov called the IAAF Championships the rehearsal of the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi.

The day before the tournament started the ROC President and Russian IOC members held a dinner for the event’s distinguished guests, where the ROC head emphasized the importance of hosting the IAAF Championships ahead of Sochi 2014.

"These days we look forward to the major sport events for our country. It is less than half a year left before the Olympic Games in Sochi. I believe that this first Russian Winter Games will be held in a very comfortable and friendly atmosphere. The Russian Olympic committee, the Russian Government and the Sochi 2014 organizing committee will ensure the Olympiad will take place without discrimination against athletes, officials, spectators and media representatives on the grounds of race, religion, politics, gender or any other kind. This is completely aligned to the Olympic Movement."

For general comments or questions,click here.

20 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics isAroundTheRings.com, for subscribers only.