By Tom Degun

BOA-ROC_30-09-11September 30 - The British Olympic Association (BOA) and the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to identify areas of mutual cooperation and form a strategic partnership ahead of the London 2012 Summer Games and Sochi 2014 Winter Games.


The agreement between the two host National Olympic Committees (NOCs) was signed at The White House in Moscow by BOA chairman Colin Moynihan (pictured left) and ROC President Alexander Zhukov (right), who is also the Russian Deputy Prime Minister.

"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," said Moynihan.

"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 agreement is the third MoU signed by the ROC this month after the NOC signed deals with the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) and the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC).

The MoU with the BOA 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.

It will see the BOA and ROC 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.

It will also see the two share information on the preparations for the London 2012 Olympic Games and Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games and assist each other through the establishment of strategic partnerships and operational assistance between the countries sport National Governing Bodies (NGBs).

"The planning and preparations that we have observed for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games are in excellent shape," continued Moynihan.

"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."

In addition to the meeting with President Zhukov, the BOA delegation - which includes BOA chief executive Andy Hunt - also met with representatives of Sochi 2014 to gain an update on preparations for the next Games.

A meeting with the Russian Ski Federation has also taken place to discuss a collaboration between the two national governing bodies in the lead up to Sochi 2014.

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