ABSTRACT
In order to preserve their status as legitimate governing bodies of sport, International Sports Associations (ISAs) are to an increasing degree expected by actors in the international community to use their influence to make societal improvements. But how and where should the traditionally neutral ISAs intervene? In considering the question, this paper explores the recommendations offered by the United Nations (UN), the OECD, and the European Commission (EC) to the ISAs on the relation between sporting events and human rights. By conducting a textual analysis of the recommendatory documents the paper concludes that while their intentions are good, the unwillingness among the document authors to engage with the term “human rights” in particular and to suggest ways to enforce them creates a serious obstacle to the implementation of those recommendations.
