The autonomy of the Olympic and Sport Movement

Abstract

This chapter discusses the concept of sporting autonomy, as well as how the notion can be meaningfully employed to understand dynamic interplays in sport governance. The first section discusses the conceptual history and ideological background of sporting autonomy. The following section looks into existing definitions and subsequently presents a neutral definition that moves beyond existing normative and descriptive conceptualisations of the autonomy of sport. The subsequent sections employ that definition in order to systematically take stock of existing research, discussing the threats to sporting autonomy as well as how they are mitigated. The following section explores the link between autonomy and good governance. The final section summarises the discussion and explores the way forward. The present chapter focuses mainly on sport governing bodies (SGBs) which are for the present purpose defined as international and continental sport federations and the IOC. It refers to sport organisations more broadly when the arguments presented are relevant for different types of Olympic and sport movement organisations.