The British Olympic Association (BOA) and the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) have today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to identify areas of mutual cooperation and strategic partnership ahead of the London 2012 Olympic Games and Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games. The agreement between the host National Olympic Committees for the next Olympic Games and Olympic Winter Games was signed at The White House in Moscow by ROC President Alexander Zhukov, the Russian Vice President, and BOA Chairman Colin Moynihan who arrived in Moscow after attending the dedication and opening of the Romanian House of Sport in Bucharest. Team GB Chef de Mission for London 2012 Andy Hunt was also present at the signing ceremony. In addition to the meeting with President Zhukov, the BOA delegation will also meet with representatives of the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games Organising Committee to gain an update on preparations for the next Olympic Winter Games. A meeting with the Russian Ski Federation will also take place to discuss collaboration between the two national governing bodies in the lead up to Sochi 2014. The Memorandum is designed to mutually benefit sports and aspiring Olympic athletes from both countries and the two organisations will cooperate in the development of excellence in sport performance and Olympic preparation. Through the MoU the National Olympic Committees will share information and best practice in a range of areas including: - The national sporting landscape in their respective territories and information about facilities, training conditions, venues and other key information about sport performance.
- Preparations for the London 2012 Olympic Games and 2014 Olympic Winter Games.
- Assisting each other through the establishment of strategic partnerships and operational assistance between the countries sport National Governing Bodies (NGBs).
- Supporting the development of the Olympic Movement, the preservation of the peace-promoting mission, and the moral and ethical values of sports. Communicate and co-operate in the consistent application of the principles of fair play at all levels of sports activities and condemn any kind of discrimination. BOA Chairman Colin Moynihan said: “As the Host National Olympic Committees for the next editions of the Olympic Games and Olympic Winter Games, both organisations have a great responsibility to the Olympic Movement upon our shoulders. Today’s agreement displays our commitment to share best practice and support each other in the development of our relationships – both at National Olympic Committee level – and between our sport National Governing Bodies. “The planning and preparations that we have observed for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games are in excellent shape. While the majority of the UK are understandably focused on the countdown to London 2012, today’s agreement demonstrates that we are simultaneously ensuring that our winter sports will continue to receive our full support and dedication on the exciting journey to Sochi 2014. “As a leading winter sport nation, this agreement represents an excellent opportunity for some of our winter National Governing Bodies to develop a strategic partnership with their Russian counterparts.”