To further implement the arrangements for the China-Russia Years of Education and deepen exchanges and cooperation within the China-Russia Sports Universities Alliance, the “Youth to Russia: Learning and Advancing Together” Sports Study and Exchange Camp recently came to a successful close. Hosted by the China-Russia Sports Universities Alliance, the program was jointly organized by Capital University of Physical Education and Sports and Tianjin University of Sport, together with Lesgaft National State University of Physical Education, Sport and Health, St. Petersburg (hereinafter “Lesgaft University”) and Moscow State University of Sport and Tourism (hereinafter “MSUST”).

During the study tour in St. Petersburg, Lesgaft University organized thematic lectures for the study group on two major topics: Russia’s sports education system and sports venue operations and management. Drawing on industry practices and research findings, Russian experts provided a systematic overview of frontier concepts and development experience. In addition to studying theories, the group took part in specialized masterclasses in gymnastics and boxing, visited an e-sports training facility, and toured landmark sports venues in St. Petersburg, including the SKA National Hockey Arena and Gazprom Arena. These visits gave the participants firsthand opportunities to learn about Russia’s experience in the planning and design of large sports venues, event operations and commercial development.

During their stay in Moscow, the study group visited the Innovation Center of the Olympic Committee of Russia “Recordika”, where they learned about the application of modern technologies in sports, athlete training and the development of the sports industry. The group also visited landmark Olympic venues such as Luzhniki Stadium, exchanging views on the construction and operation of world-class competition venues as well as their post-event use. Morozov Evgenii, Vice-Rector of MSUST, said that Russian universities were ready to use the China-Russia Sports Universities Alliance as a platform to expand the scope of cooperation with their Chinese counterparts and promote deeper and more substantial exchanges between young people in the sports communities of the two countries.

With sports serving as a bond and young people as a bridge, the study program not only promoted resource sharing, mutual learning and the exchange of ideas in sports education between China and Russia, but also provided a platform for young people from the two countries to deepen mutual understanding, build friendships and grow together. Looking ahead, the China-Russia Sports Universities Alliance will continue to deepen practical cooperation between Chinese and Russian sports universities and develop more high-quality and distinctive exchange programs in sports education. Through these efforts, it will continue to inject fresh dynamism into the development of sports and people-to-people exchanges in both countries.