The International Olympic Committee in the 21st century Trends in global sports governance

Abstract

From the 19th century and until recently, international relations in the fieldof sport mainly developed through non governmental, private initiatives and structures. In this context, the creation of the International Olympic Committee (IOC, 1894-) has been a major institutional landmark.

Since the beginning of the 21st century, the aforementioned assessment has changed. Sport and physical activity are now being included as permanent topics in the work of IOs and regional intergovernmental institutions (e.g. the European Union).  The United Nations (UN), in particular, approaches sport as a lever for development and peace, thus creating a new independent field for interdisciplinary research (: Sport and Development, S&D).