Symposium 2.1 - International sport organisations’ policies: addressing the challenges of sustainability, technology, and safeguarding in Sport

Abstract

This symposium examines how international sport organisations design and implement policies in response to sustainability, technological innovation, and safeguarding challenges. Bringing together three complementary contributions based on diverse methodological approaches, it aims to systematically compare these responses to highlight both striking similarities and notable divergences in strategic orientations.

The first presentation investigates the sustainability policies developed by two international federations, identifying underlying normative assumption presumed in their conceptual definition of sustainability. The second presentation analyses documents produced by 46 international federations regarding technological advancements, demonstrating how sport governing bodies construct autonomous regulatory frameworks that balance innovation, fairness, and market pressures within the lex sportiva. The final presentation focuses on the safeguarding approaches adopted by 40 international federations and highlights the challenges of institutionalising safeguarding within global sport governance.

By simultaneously considering sustainability, technological innovation and safeguarding, this symposium offers a global perspective on the evolving governance role of sport organisations. It underscores how shared global challenges may drive the emergence of comparable policy frameworks. Ultimately, this symposium also sheds light on distinct approaches across the international sport landscape.