Autonomy of National Olympic Committees

Autonomy is repeatedly highlighted by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as a fundamental principle of the Olympic Movement. However, it remains unclear to what extent this principle is upheld in practice.

(The project was concluded in 2017)

With this project, Play the Game aims to examine the formal relationship between National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and national governments by mapping whether key leadership positions in NOCs are held by individuals with official governmental roles.

The study focuses on presidents and secretary generals of NOCs and investigates direct, formal links to government institutions, ruling monarchies, or senior public offices.

By systematically analysing publicly available information from international sports governance databases, the project seeks to provide an evidence-based overview of potential conflicts of interest within the Olympic Movement. The project will also explore regional patterns and assess whether links between sport and government are more prevalent in countries with lower levels of political freedom.

The purpose of the project is to contribute to a more informed debate on sport governance and autonomy, and to assess whether existing rules and practices sufficiently protect the independence of NOCs from political influence.