Russian International Olympic University (RIOU) was established on 21 October 2009 under the Memorandum of Understanding between the International Olympic Committee, the Sochi 2014 Organising Committee and the Russian Olympic Committee. The founders of the University are the Ministry of Sport of the Russian Federation, the Russian Olympic Committee, the Sochi 2014 Organising Committee, and Interros private investment company.
RIOU is the world’s first university dedicated to sport business education, offering unique programmes infused with Olympic values and experiences. RIOU’s activities concentrate on training specialists in sports management for the Russian and international sports industry, and the Olympic and Paralympic Movements. The University’s educational programmes cover the main aspects of sports education: venue and infrastructure management, competitions, mass communications, diplomacy and administration, and career management.
In 2013 RIOU has launched its ground-breaking Master of Sport Administration (MSA) course which is aimed at experienced executives in the sports industry who are eager to improve their understanding of sport business, arm themselves with best in class tools and practices, and accelerate their career development.
RIOU’s faculty includes renowned Russian and international experts in sports management. RIOU modern brand-new campus facilities are located in Sochi. RIOU Rector is Professor Lev Belousov.