STUDY ON 'LARGE SPORTING EVENTS: HUMAN RIGHTS AS A GAME CHANGER?'

STUDY ON 'LARGE SPORTING EVENTS: HUMAN RIGHTS AS A GAME CHANGER?'

Requested by the European Parliament's Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) on the occasion of the workshop “Large Sporting Events: Human Rights as a Game Changer?”, a study of the same name was recently published by the European Parliament. At the workshop, which already took place on 25 May, the then acting EOC President Niels Nygaard represented the Olympic Movement. We reported in the Monthly Report May.

In the accompanying study, the main question raised is the following one: ‘How does the current legal framework regarding the promotion of human rights and the prevention of human rights abuses at Mega-Sporting Events (MSEs) fall short and how can it be improved?’. In order for regulations to fill gaps in obligations and responsibilities to prevent human rights abuses and promote human rights in the context of MSEs, six recommendations to the EU are made to develop adequate contractual obligations in hosting agreements together with sufficient requirements and evaluation criteria in bidding.

Furthermore, as part of the study, the briefing ‘Sport, sustainability and human rights: an integrated approach’, identifies the major risks associated with the life cycle of large sporting events, the rights holder groups which would benefit the most from an integration of human rights instruments and SDGs, the relevant actors in the field of Sustainable Development Goals, sport events and human rights, and to finish with, it issues three recommendations made to the EU institutions:

  • The European Commission should encourage sport governing bodies to clarify their approach to human rights.
  • The European Parliament should initiate a task force with representatives from the sector.
  • Preferential trade agreements should be developed with third countries implementing human rights measures.

The study concludes by a summary of interventions during the workshop organised by the Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI), to which Niels Nygaard, at the time President of the EOC, participated.

Recent Posts

A Bolder, Simpler, Faster Union: Highlights from the European Commission Work Programme 2025

On 12 February, the European Commission presented its Work Programme and Annexes for 2025 during the European Parliament plenary session, where Members debated its key initiatives. The Programme with the motto “Moving forward together: A Bolder, Simpler, Faster Union”, prioritises competitiveness, sustainability, and social fairness.  Several initiatives are particularly relevant for the sports sector. Among the […]

Read More
OCEAN Toolbox platform: Empowering sport organisations to take on climate action

In January, the OCEAN Project celebrated its second anniversary and officially entered its final phase with Climate Action Officers from 18 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) advancing on their path to reduce their carbon footprints as part of a collective effort to tackle climate change. Analysis of 18 NOCs’ carbon footprint Throughout the project, the 18 […]

Read More
Review of Europe’s beating cancer plan: prevention with sport and physical activity  

The European Commission’s Communication “Review of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan” (2021 – 2024) assesses its progress in tackling cancer through prevention, early detection, treatment, and post-cancer care.  A key pillar of the plan is promoting healthier lifestyles, particularly through physical activity, to help reduce risk factors for non-communicable diseases and cancer. Recognising the role of […]

Read More

Related Posts

February 17, 2025
A Bolder, Simpler, Faster Union: Highlights from the European Commission Work Programme 2025

On 12 February, the European Commission presented its Work Programme and Annexes for 2025 during the European Parliament plenary session, where Members debated its key initiatives. The Programme with the motto “Moving forward together: A Bolder, Simpler, Faster Union”, prioritises competitiveness, sustainability, and social fairness.  Several initiatives are particularly relevant for the sports sector. Among the […]

February 10, 2025
OCEAN Toolbox platform: Empowering sport organisations to take on climate action

In January, the OCEAN Project celebrated its second anniversary and officially entered its final phase with Climate Action Officers from 18 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) advancing on their path to reduce their carbon footprints as part of a collective effort to tackle climate change. Analysis of 18 NOCs’ carbon footprint Throughout the project, the 18 […]

February 10, 2025
Review of Europe’s beating cancer plan: prevention with sport and physical activity  

The European Commission’s Communication “Review of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan” (2021 – 2024) assesses its progress in tackling cancer through prevention, early detection, treatment, and post-cancer care.  A key pillar of the plan is promoting healthier lifestyles, particularly through physical activity, to help reduce risk factors for non-communicable diseases and cancer. Recognising the role of […]

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