Global Overview Of The Sports Law

When Oscar Pistorius won the 2004 Summer Paralympics in Athens, he became the first athlete to win a gold in a single below-knee amputee championship even though he medically qualifies as a double below knee amputee. Sports fans across the world rejoiced on his magnificent achievement and nicknamed him "fastest man on no legs". He has been one of the only few athletes to have participated in both Paralympics and Olympics. But, his success story was overshadowed by IAAF claims that Pistorius had an added advantage due to his artificial carbon fibre limbs over able-bodied athletes and ruled him ineligible for their competitions. However, Pistorius not only contested this decision but successfully overturned it at the Court for Arbitration for Sports with the help of the prevailing provisions of sports law.

Introduction to Sports Law

What is Sports Law? This question has repeatedly been raised by people regardless of their professional background. The answer to this question might seem deceivingly simple; nevertheless, the person on the other end fumbles while answering. The reason behind this hesitation perhaps has something to do with the dilemma as to what exactly is being sought from this prodigious legal discipline. The author will attempt to answer this question.

A distinct Forbes list just for highest paid athletes evidences the rising popularity of the sports industry in the past few decades. The history of sports extends as far back as the existence of people as purposive and competitive. It simultaneously portrays as how the beliefs of the society have changed and what changes have been brought in the rules and regulations. The most eminent legal scholars have always unanimously held that law is essential for a society because it serves as norms of thecode of conduct. It keeps the community running. Without law, there would be a state of chaos where only the fittest will survive. Similarly, even though law and sports often get considered as "separate realms"; sports laws form the backbone of the sports industry regulating the myriad of interlinking legal issues ranging from anti-doping, gambling,andmatch-fixing to the choice of legal structure for sporting organizations. Sports without the governance of a body of law can be comparable to a football match without a referee; havoc. These laws have an unusually well-developed pattern of globalized regulation and overlap substantially with multitude areas of other distinct laws.

The progress of Sports Law over time

HISTORICAL POSITION: Not existing Traditionally, many people believed that sports law is merely an amalgamation of various areas of law. As per this perspective, sports law lacked an identifiable body of...