Russia And Czech Republic Discuss Increased Cooperation Between NOCs

The Russian International Olympic University (RIOU) and the Olympic Committee of Russia were visited by a National Olympic Committee delegation from the Czech Republic headed by Czech NOC Vice President and FIS Council Member Roman Kumpost and the Head of the Czech NOC International Relations Department Veronica Zhemanova. Meeting with Russian Olympic Committee President Stanislav Pozdnyakov and the RIOU management, the development and further steps of an increased cooperation between NOCs of the two countries were discussed.

“Today's negotiations are a continuation of the work started within the framework of a Memorandum of Cooperation signed earlier between the Olympic committees of Russia and the Czech Republic”, Stanislav Pozdnyakov stated. “We have now discussed practical steps to implement items contained in this document. We are interested in the implementation of educational programs with the Russian International Olympic University (RIOU), as well as projects being developed by the Czech side. We intend to conduct regular exchange of teaching staff and students. And, of course, there is an interest in expanding cooperation as to participation of athletes in joint competitions, as well as the organisation of training meetings for athletes and experts both in the Russian Federation and in the Czech Republic."

Professor Lev Belousov, the rector of RIOU noted: ‘Within the framework of international cooperation and development of our transfer educational programs in Europe, we are actively making plans for the cooperation with NOC of the Czech Republic. An agreement of cooperation between the NOC of the Czech Republic and RIOU will be signed in Sochi this spring, with the support of OCR.’

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