Governance Issues and Participant Rights in Olympic Sport

Abstract

This chapter examines the complex legal structures and relationships of the various governing bodies in the Olympic Movement including the International Olympic Committee (IOC), International Paralympic Committee (IPC), international sports federations (IFs) and national Olympic committees (NOCs). The functionality of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) as well as the role of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in the Olympic Movement, are also explored. This chapter additionally discuss the impact of the Amateur Sports Act of 1978 (ASA) and the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act of 1998 (OASA) on Olympic governance within the United States and the functioning of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC). Issues related to participants' rights are presented including drug testing, sex testing, marketing rights, protests and demonstrations, eligibility rules, and dispute resolution mechanisms. Lastly, this chapter explores the growing demand for increased accountability of Olympic governing bodies for the protection of the health and safety of its athletes, especially young athletes from physical and sexual abuse by coaches and medical personnel.