ITU and FEI reach Memoranda of Understanding with commercial event organisers

ITU and FEI reach Memoranda of Understanding with commercial event organisers

At the end of January 2017, both the International Triathlon Union (ITU) and the Fédération Equestre International (FEI) agreed on signing Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with commercial bodies active in their sport (Ironman and Global Champions League (GCL)), which allowed for extrajudicial arrangements.

The agreement between FEI and GCL includes FEI approval of the GCL rules, which are now in compliance with FEI rules. Beforehand, both the GCL and the FEI Officials, who were sanctioned for officiating at GCL events, had complained against FEI regulations allegedly breaching EU anti-trust regulations before the Belgian Competition Authority. This complaint has since been withdrawn, with FEI President Ingmar De Vos saying: “The new MOU […] means an end to the legal issues between us […] The FEI was always of the belief that there was room for co-existence between the current FEI series and the GCL and […] now we can turn the page and look to the future.“

The collaboration between ITU and IRONMAN, a sports company responsible for the organisation of the Ironman World Series, focuses on standardised rules, further collaboration on anti-doping efforts, national federation relations, sanctioning, a single-set of rules, and collaborative marketing initiatives to grow the sport. The MoU therefore ends a dispute regarding rules and the application of anti-doping regulations lasting over several years amiably.

Both agreements showcase the ability of sport federations to reach agreements with commercial actors in their field, while preserving the unity of their sport, including the authority over its rules, and appropriate regulations on aspects such as security and anti-doping rules. These are positive examples of how potential conflicts are solved without legal procedures in front of competition authorities and bode well for current competition discussions handled by the European Commission.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Press release ITU (30/01/2017): “ITU & IRONMAN agree to historic partnership”

Press release FEI (26/01/2017): “FEI and Global Champions League reach agreement”

Recent Posts

Children‘s rights in focus: How EU priorities echo in sport safeguarding

The EOC EU Office followed with great interest the 15th European Forum on the Rights of the Child, which took place in Brussels on 23–24 June under the theme “Championing Children’s Rights: Building Fair and Resilient Societies”. The Forum reinforced the EU’s commitment to protecting children’s rights across all policies and sectors, with key discussions […]

Read More
EOC EU Office welcomes a delegation of French federations leaders with French NOC

On 25 and 26 June, the EOC EU Office welcomed a delegation from the French National Olympic Committee (CNOSF) as part of their “Parcours Ambition Internationale”. This visit aimed to strengthen the international engagement of French sports leaders. Folker Hellmund (Director), Eva Rebmann (Deputy Director), Carlotta Giussani (Head of Funding) and Iva Glibo (Funding Officer) […]

Read More
Webinar “Creating Impactful Narratives: Research & Policy Skills for Stronger Project Proposals”

The On 19 June, the EOC EU Office organised a capacity-building webinar titled “Creating Impactful Narratives: Research & Policy Skills for Stronger Project Proposals”. The session aimed to strengthen participants’ academic and policy research skill, but most importantly, their ability to build convincing arguments to support Erasmus+ project proposals. The webinar focused on equipping participants with practical […]

Read More

Related Posts

June 27, 2025
Children‘s rights in focus: How EU priorities echo in sport safeguarding

The EOC EU Office followed with great interest the 15th European Forum on the Rights of the Child, which took place in Brussels on 23–24 June under the theme “Championing Children’s Rights: Building Fair and Resilient Societies”. The Forum reinforced the EU’s commitment to protecting children’s rights across all policies and sectors, with key discussions […]

June 27, 2025
EOC EU Office welcomes a delegation of French federations leaders with French NOC

On 25 and 26 June, the EOC EU Office welcomed a delegation from the French National Olympic Committee (CNOSF) as part of their “Parcours Ambition Internationale”. This visit aimed to strengthen the international engagement of French sports leaders. Folker Hellmund (Director), Eva Rebmann (Deputy Director), Carlotta Giussani (Head of Funding) and Iva Glibo (Funding Officer) […]

June 20, 2025
Webinar “Creating Impactful Narratives: Research & Policy Skills for Stronger Project Proposals”

The On 19 June, the EOC EU Office organised a capacity-building webinar titled “Creating Impactful Narratives: Research & Policy Skills for Stronger Project Proposals”. The session aimed to strengthen participants’ academic and policy research skill, but most importantly, their ability to build convincing arguments to support Erasmus+ project proposals. The webinar focused on equipping participants with practical […]

About us

The EOC EU Office is the House of European Sport, representing the European Olympic Committees (EOC), the IOC and other major sport organisations to the European institutions in Brussels.
CONTACT
crossmenu linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram