The governance of sports federations

Abstract

This chapter analyzes the organizational systems of sports in Europe and the world. In 1896, from the time of the first Olympic Games of the modern era and until the last years of the 20th century, international and national sports federations developed in a monopolistic environment in which competition from alternative players was virtually non-existent in the sports market. Traditional managerial and governance practices, confronted with new qualitative requirements from society, revealed their limitations and their excesses and the sports federations were required to implement “good” governance practices. International sports competitions and the creation of universal rules for sports resulted in the need for harmonization between countries. The international sports federations are part of the Olympic movement. These international non-governmental organizations ensure the integrity of the sports disciplines which they are responsible for and guarantee the legality of sports competitions.