Court of Arbitration for Sport

About Court of Arbitration for Sport:

• It was created in 1984 and is placed under the administrative and financial authority of the International Council of Arbitration for Sport (ICAS).
• It is an institution independent of any sports organization which provides for servic­es in order to facilitate the settlement of sports-related disputes through arbitration or mediation by means of procedural rules adapted to the­ specific needs of the sports world.
• Functions
  • It has the task of resolving legal disputes in the field of sport through arbitration.
  • It does this by pronouncing arbitral awards that have the same enforceability as judgements of ordinary ­courts.
  • It can also help parties solve their disputes on an amicable basis through mediation, when this procedure is allowed. 
  • It sets up non-permanent tribunals, which it does for the Olympic Games, the Commonwealth Games or other similar major events.
  • To take into account the circumstances of such events, special procedural rules are established on each occasion.

What kinds of disputes can be submitted to the CAS?

• Any disputes directly or indirectly linked to sport may be submitted to the CAS.
• These may be disputes of a commercial nature (e.g. a sponsorship contract), or of a disciplinary nature following a decision by a sports organisation (e.g. a doping case).

Who can refer a case to the CAS?

• Any individual or legal entity with capacity to act may have recourse to the services of the CAS.
• These include athletes, clubs, sports federations, organisers of sports events, sponsors or television companies. 

Q1: What is the Olympic Order?

It is the highest award bestowed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for outstanding contributions to the Olympic Movement. It was established in 1975, it replaced the Olympic Diploma of Merit and is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional merit in the cause of sport or rendered significant services to the Olympic Movement.

Source: CAS arbitrator calls Vinesh’s axing draconian, but sticks to rules