A World of Responsible Sport

This chapter sets out a vision for a world of responsible sport rooted in international human rights standards and values. The chapter focuses on the nature and extent of human rights responsibilities of sports governing bodies (SGBs) at a time when the entire sports ecosystem is increasingly becoming viewed through a human rights lens, with a particular focus on responsibilities as defined in the United Nations (UN) Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and other relevant human rights frameworks. Nevertheless, progress has been mixed. Some actors have demonstrated resistance to embracing international human rights norms and standards, while others have become pioneers in applying the UNGPs, not only to mega-sporting events (MSEs), but also to sport policies, governance mechanisms and operations. The chapter argues that the days of such resistance are numbered and the UNGPs are becoming an authoritative standard for sport. SGBs and other actors must see embracing human rights responsibilities as an opportunity to underpin the values of sport, retain the trust of its stakeholders and commit to a responsible autonomy in order to retain the social licence to operate.