University of East London Homepage

Universities play a ‘central’ role in sports legacy plans

Wednesday 7 December 2011

UEL Vice Chancellor, Professor Patrick McGhee and Rector Yusup Yakubov

With much of the attention now focused on which athletes will be vying for gold medals in next summer’s Olympic Games, the University of East London’s Vice Chancellor has spoken of how host city universities can play a ‘central’ role in keeping the flame burning long after the Olympics and other major sporting events have finished.

In a recent keynote speech to municipal officials and fellow academics at the Russian International Olympic University (RIOU) in Sochi, UEL Vice Chancellor, Professor Patrick McGhee, argued how the leaders of business, government, sports and education must prioritise legacy and work in partnership.

As part of the visit, The University of East London signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Russian International Olympic University. The Russian International Olympic University is a new educational institution, which is responsible for training staff for the 2014 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Sochi and preserving the Games’ legacy.

The Vice Chancellor also travelled to Kazan in The Republic of Tartastan, where he visited the Volga State Academy of Physical Culture, Sport and Tourism. During the visit, Professor McGhee met with Rector Yusup Yakubov to discuss partnership developments and to view the brand new facilities, which are being constructed for the 2013 Studentiade - the World Student Games.

Professor Patrick McGhee said: “Universities are already international institutions with strong city and community links, which can help bring partners together. Through legacy plans, universities can seek to take ownership of sporting assets and infrastructure and maximise participation in sport – whether that’s by elite athletes, students, or members of the local community.

“By working in partnership with our colleagues in Russia and sharing experiences and academic research, we can help deliver a sustainable legacy for future generations of sporting superstars. It’s also a vital step in UEL’s journey to become the number university for sport in London by 2015.”

Gareth Smith, Head of Podium, said: “Having worked closely with both Universities on their Olympic Games activity, Podium is delighted they have signed this agreement. This relationship will help to encourage the sharing of experience and research between both Games and ensure a real learning legacy from London 2012.”

The MOU with the Russian International Olympic University marked a major milestone in UEL’s scheme to build a world-wide global network of sports and community oriented universities, which already includes Universiade 2011 Shenzhen (World Student Games), Peking University (2008 Olympic Games) and Brasilia (2016 Olympic Games).         

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

Information for screenreader users:

For a general description of these pages and an explanation of how they should work with screenreading equipment please follow this link: Link to general description

For further information on this web site’s accessibility features please follow this link: Link to accessibility information