Abstract:
Athletes pursue victory and excellence, yet elite sporting competition demands more than performance: they require navigating rules that safeguard fair competition and sporting integrity. This article maps eligibility requirements and selection issues, participation agreements and codes of conduct, media and image-rights controls, and doping-related obligations. The regulation of equipment used in competition, participation of transgender and para-athletes, and the impact of technological advancements in sports are also discussed in the context of fair competition and sporting integrity. Given that athletes and officials primarily focus on performance rather than legal compliance, the article hopes to – drawing on recent international legal and policy developments as well as anecdotal case studies – equip key stakeholders in sports with the awareness necessary to navigate the legal minefields that lie in wait in the elite sports landscape.