On September 20, the opening ceremony of the new academic year took place at the Sochi campus of the International Olympic University of Russia.
On such a significant occasion, the President of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) arrived at Ordzhonikidze Street, building 11 Stanislav Pozdnyakov, Executive Director of the Russian Olympic Athletes Support Fund (RFOR) Alexander KatushevRector of the State Institute of Physical Culture and Sports of Armenia (GIFKSA) Tigran Simonyan, President of the Russian Federation of Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined (FPLD) Dmitri Dubrovsky, Director General of the Russian Association of Sports Facilities (RASS) Elena Suzdaleva and Head of the Department of International Relations at the Indian Sports University HVPM Pranav Chendke.
The rector of RIOU, academician of the Russian Academy of Education, professor addressed the audience with a welcome speech Lev Belousov:
“In the modern sports industry, it is more important than ever to constantly develop management skills, be able to establish effective communication with partners, and master the tools of project management and personal brand development. We help professional athletes solve one of the most pressing problems: to safely leave big sport, but remain in it as managers.
In our programs, we have collected the best global practices in sports management and we are happy to share them with a new group of listeners. This is what we consider the mission of the Olympic University.”
The Russian Minister of Sports sent a congratulatory video to the educational institution Mikhail Degtyarev:
“RIOU graduates are Olympic champions, world and European champions. This year, representatives from ten countries will take part in the additional education programme. This once again confirms the demand for our country’s experience in sports management. I wish everyone faith, hope and love, because love for Russia and sport is what unites us.”
The Russian champions and medalists of the Olympic and Paralympic Games of different years arrived at the university the day before: Anastasia Tatareva AND Elena Shalamova (rhythmic gymnastics), flying skier Evgeniy Klimov, Anastasia Ivanova (fencing), Dmitri Kokarev (swim), Natalia Korosteleva (ski racing), Anna Timofeeva (water polo) and judoka Niyaz Ilyasov.
Leaders of federations from all over Russia will also receive training, in particular, a member of the executive committee of the WFHG, a ten-time world champion in rhythmic gymnastics. Olga Kapranova.
Executive Director of the Fund for Support of Russian Olympians Alexander Katushev highlighted:
“44 scholarship holders of the Foundation, representing 24 regions of Russia and 23 Olympic sports, are starting their studies at RIOU. In total, 244 members of our country’s national team who have completed their sports career have already completed their training under the University’s vocational training programmes.
It is difficult to name a region where the Foundation’s grant recipients, RIOU graduates, are not currently working. In total, over the years of cooperation between the Foundation and RIOU, more than 400 managers at various levels have been trained and work in the sports industry in more than 70 regions of Russia.
I hope that our scholarship recipients, the students of RIOU, will pass this new and important stage of their lives with “excellence” and become the highly qualified specialists that our country so desperately needs.”
A total of twenty-five participants will sit at their desks, including thirteen Olympic and Paralympic medallists.
President of the Republic of China, four-time Olympic champion Stanislav Pozdnyakov He also greeted the students and the leadership of the University:
“It is a great honour for me to be here with you today and on behalf of the Russian Olympic Committee to congratulate you on the beginning of the academic year. The Republic of China and RIOU have very close trade and friendly relations. When I look at a CV, I always pay attention to the “education” column. If I see RIOU there, for me it is a sign of quality. Therefore, I would like to wish you new knowledge and new friends, because at the very core of Olympism lies the concept of friendship, one of the main Olympic values. I wish you success and good luck in all spheres of life, a valuable experience within the walls of RIOU! Happy holidays, dear friends!”
Twenty-two winners of the prestigious international competition “RMOU Master Scholarships” began their studies under the “Master of Sports Administration” program from ten countries around the world.
In addition to Russia, China and India received the largest representation. The geographical coverage of the University’s international programmes is 88 countries.
As part of the opening ceremony, partnership agreements were signed between RIOU and organizations that have long been successfully collaborating with the University on a wide range of educational programs.
The agreements were signed by RIOU Rector Lev Belousov, GIFKSA Rector Tigran Simonyan, FPLD President Dmitry Dubrovsky and RASS Director General Elena Suzdaleva.
Amid the festive hustle and bustle and a flurry of congratulations, the EADaily correspondent managed to ask two questions to the legend of national and world fencing, the head of the Republic of China, Stanislav Pozdnyakov.
— Stanislav Alekseevich, IOC director Thomas Bach is retiring next year and the names of seven candidates for such an important post have already been announced. Which one is the most preferable for us?
“The most important thing in this situation is that there will be a change of leadership in the IOC, for which we are preparing with all responsibility. I think it is not so important who holds the presidency. The main thing is that the International Olympic Committee and the Russian Olympic Committee have the opportunity to start everything from scratch.
It should be understood here that the IOC is not always a completely independent organisation from, say, geopolitical factors. And we hope that the new leaders will be able to overcome the constant pressure.
— How do you rate the performance of our Paralympic athletes at the Paris Games?
“They are simply heroes who have overcome the circumstances of life and deserve the utmost respect.” The boys are true patriots and devotees.
