With this brief article, we seek to delve deeper into and understand the Rights and Responsibilities of Sportspersons. However, before examining the subject matter in detail, it is pertinent to note that although used interchangeably, the terms “athlete” and “sportsperson”.
An “athlete” generally refers to an individual who competes in physical sports requiring agility, strength, speed, etc. While, a “sportsperson”, on the other hand, is a rather broader term for individuals who participates in any form of sports, physical or skill-based.
The smooth functioning of sporting events across the globe is ensured by various governing bodies. One such pivotal organization is the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The IOC primarily concerns itself with protecting, governing and promoting the Olympic Movement globally and serves as the supreme authority within the Olympic Movement.
An important body functioning under the IOC is the IOC Athletes’ Commission; which acts as a vital link between athletes and IOC. The Athletes’ Commission is responsible for ensuring that the athletes are actively involved in the decision-making process and safeguarding the various rights bestowed upon them.
Apart from establishing robust authorities to govern the working of the Olympic Movement, the athletes are conferred with certain rights and responsibility.
Rights of Athletes
Following are some of the significant rights accorded to athletes:
- Right to compete in sports without discrimination on any grounds whatsoever;
- Right to be a part of a transparent and fair sporting environment; particularly the one which strongly opposes doping and manipulation during competitions, etc.;
- Fair gender representation;
- Right to Privacy, including protection of personal and sensitive information;
- Freedom of expression
Responsibilities of Athletes
The athletes have been bestowed upon certain responsibilities, the same are as below:
- Upholding Olympic values and adhering to the Fundamental Principles of Olympism;
- Respecting the integrity of the sport and compete as a clean athlete;
- Acting in accordance and in compliance with the IOC Code of Ethic, and being encouraged to report any unethical behaviour;
- Compliance with applicable national laws, and rules in place for qualification process;
It is worthwhile to mention here that the above is not an exhaustive list of the rights and responsibilities bestowed upon the athletes, but highlights some of the most significant ones
In the next article, we shall examine the mechanisms for dispute resolution among athletes, sportspersons, and various other stakeholders within the sporting ecosystem.