What are the needs for regulating the world of sport compared to the actions of the IOC concerning governance?

Indeed, under the leadership of former President Juan Antonio Samaranch, the major international sports associations have followed some recommendations, after the IOC 2000 report and today, his successor, Dr. Jacques Rogge has continued, yet this remains marginal.

As a proof, only two recommendations concerning good governance in the world of sport were produced at the IOC Congress in Copenhagen on October 5, 2009: recommendations 41 and 42. Recommendation 41 states, “The legitimacy and autonomy of the Olympic Movement depend on the abiding of the highest standards of ethical behavior and good governance. All members of the Olympic Movement should adopt (as a minimum standard) the basic universal principles of good governance of the Olympic Movement, as proposed by the IOC. All members of the Olympic Movement must at all times demonstrate integrity, accountability and transparency as well as strong management skills, and ensure that under all circumstances, their legal status is fully compatible with their activities and responsibilities and in full conformity with the laws of the country (applicable laws)”.  Recommendation 42 was equally clear, stating, “All members of the Olympic Movement should keep proper accounts respecting the accounting standards; ensure they are reviewed or audited independently, adopt rules, standards and practices whereby those who do not respect the principles of good governance could lose their funding or be punished, adopt and implement a code of ethics founded on the principles and rules of the IOC code of ethics, and always strive to protect and promote the interests of the athletes they represent.”

Unfortunately, the text of these recommendations is only an encouragement to follow the process, just like “the rules of conduct for IFs” in the Code of Ethics (2009) of the IOC. Several researchers made proposals to the IOC, such as Chappelet in 1991 and 2006, Arcioni in 2007 and 2009 to improve the control structures of governance. A proposal to establish the “Lausanne Covenant” by Prof. Chappelet was issued during his lecture to the Panathlon Club of Lausanne in 2010.