Whether it’s the Olympics, FIFA World Cup or America’s Cup, international sports are a booming industry that brings in millions of dollars while influencing the political, economic and cultural aspects of countries around the world. At its best, sport is a powerful societal phenomenon that unites communities, fosters international exchange and friendship. But at its worst, the fervor that drives competition can trigger violence and encourage illegal activities in pursuit of a winning edge. International sports are also a platform for controversial topics that transcend the boundaries of the playing field.
The Olympic Games are the most well-known of all international sporting events. Founded in ancient Greece, the modern Olympic movement is governed by an international non-governmental organization, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which owns the rights to the Olympic name, flag, symbols and motto. The IOC is assisted by a number of commissions, and it is responsible for a wide range of law-related functions, including ensuring the integrity of the Olympic movement.
Many of the individual sports within the Olympic games are overseen by international sports federations, which are non-governmental organizations that serve as the governing body for a particular sport at a world level. These federations craft the rules that govern their sport, promote it to prospective spectators and participants, develop potential athletes and organize world or continental championships.
Some federations may have multiple activities that are referred to in common parlance as single sports: the International Skating Union, for example, governs skating, figure skating and ice hockey separately but collectively as “skating.” The IOC recognizes some of these governing bodies through its Association of IOC Recognised International Sports Federations. A compilation of CAS decisions that relate to soccer has been published in CAS and Football: Landmark Cases, part of the ASSER International Sports Law Series.