Latvia

Sporta likums

15,239 characters 2002 Data Source

SPORTS LAW

(Adopted by the Saeima on 24 October 2002, entered into force 27 November 2002)

Section 1 - Terminology

The following terms are used in this Law:

  1. Sports base - a specially equipped and arranged place for sports activities and sports competitions.

  2. Sports worker - a person who conducts sports activities professionally or voluntarily.

  3. Sports educational institution - an educational institution that implements sports education programmes.

  4. Sports competition - a sports event where the sports results of athletes are determined.

  5. Athlete - a person who engages in sports as training, recreation, or profession.

  6. Sport - all types of individual or organised activities for the preservation and improvement of physical and mental health, as well as for achieving success in sports competitions.

Section 2 - Purpose of the Law

The purpose of this Law is to establish the general and legal foundations for sports organisation and development, the relationships between sports organisations, State and municipal institutions, their fundamental tasks in sports development and financing, as well as principles to be observed when participating in the international sports movement.

Section 3 - Fundamental Principles of Sport

The following fundamental principles shall be observed in sport:

  1. Principle of equality - everyone has the right to engage in sport regardless of race, nationality, gender, age, state of health, religious or political conviction, and other factors.

  2. Principle of fair play - promotion of Olympic ideals, observance of ethics in sport, prevention of the use of doping, fight against violence in sport.

  3. Principle of safety - sports activities shall be conducted under the supervision of qualified specialists, using safe sports equipment.

  4. Principle of good governance - democratic structure and decision-making in sports organisations, transparency of financial resources.

Section 4 - Sport in Educational Institutions

  1. Educational institutions shall ensure the development of the physical capacities of students, promote their healthy lifestyle and interest in regular sports activities.

  2. Sports education programmes shall ensure accessibility for students with special needs.

  3. Sports bases of educational institutions shall be primarily used for the needs of students.

Section 5 - Competence of the Ministry of Education and Science

The Ministry of Education and Science:

  1. Implements State sports policy;

  2. Develops and submits to the Cabinet draft legislation regulating sports matters;

  3. Coordinates international cooperation in the field of sport;

  4. Ensures Latvia’s representation in international sports organisations.

Section 6 - Competence of Other Ministries

  1. The Ministry of Welfare shall coordinate matters related to Paralympic and Deaflympic sports.

  2. The Ministry of the Interior shall promote the physical fitness of employees.

  3. The Ministry of Defence shall ensure physical training for military personnel.

  4. The Ministry of Justice shall promote sports activities in places of deprivation of liberty.

  5. The Ministry of Health shall coordinate anti-doping measures and sports medicine matters.

Section 7 - Competence of Municipalities

Municipalities may:

  1. Designate officials responsible for sports matters;

  2. Construct, maintain and improve sports bases;

  3. Promote the establishment of sports clubs;

  4. Finance licensed sports education programmes;

  5. Organise sports competitions within their administrative territory.

Section 8 - Competence of Employers

Employers may:

  1. Support the participation of employees in sports activities;

  2. Organise sports competitions for employees.

Section 9 - Latvian National Sports Council

  1. The Latvian National Sports Council is an advisory institution that develops recommendations for sports policy.

  2. The Council comprises representatives of the government, sports federations and academic institutions.

  3. The Council:

    a) develops recommendations for State sports policy;

    b) provides opinions on budget allocations for sport;

    c) evaluates sports facilities standards;

    d) promotes coordination between State institutions and sports organisations.

Section 10 - Sports Organisations

  1. A sports club is an association of natural or legal persons whose purpose is sports activity in one or several sports.

  2. A sports federation is an association that coordinates the development of a specific sport.

  3. Recognised sports federations:

    a) have statutes focused on sports development;

    b) organise sports competitions;

    c) have democratic governance structures;

    d) are led by Latvian citizens or permanent residents;

    e) comply with anti-doping requirements;

    f) ensure transparency through internet publication.

Section 10.1 - Recognition Criteria for Sports Federations

A sports federation may be granted recognition if it:

  1. Has statutes that set sports development as a primary objective;

  2. Organises regular sports competitions;

  3. Has a democratic governance structure;

  4. Is led by Latvian citizens;

  5. Does not have members who are foreign state security personnel;

  6. Has limited commercial membership;

  7. Complies with anti-doping regulations;

  8. Publishes information on the internet.

Section 10.2 - Withdrawal of Recognition

Recognition may be withdrawn if the sports organisation:

  1. Violates the criteria for recognition;

  2. Fails to comply with relevant regulations.

Section 11 - Latvian Olympic Committee

  1. The Latvian Olympic Committee (Latvijas Olimpiskā komiteja) leads the Olympic movement in Latvia.

  2. The Committee:

    a) implements Olympic education programmes;

    b) organises youth sports programmes;

    c) promotes regional sports development;

    d) prepares elite athletes for international competitions.

Section 11.1 - National Anti-Doping Regulations

The Cabinet shall establish national anti-doping regulations that include:

  1. Definitions of doping violations;

  2. List of prohibited substances and methods;

  3. Sanctions for violations;

  4. Appeals procedures;

  5. Therapeutic use exemptions.

Section 11.2 - Antidoping Bureau of Latvia

  1. The Antidoping Bureau of Latvia enforces anti-doping regulations.

  2. The Bureau:

    a) plans and conducts doping tests;

    b) investigates violations;

    c) administers temporary bans;

    d) coordinates with international anti-doping bodies.

  3. Decisions may be appealed to international arbitration.

Section 11.3 - Disciplinary Anti-Doping Commission

The Disciplinary Anti-Doping Commission:

  1. Reviews alleged doping violations;

  2. Imposes sanctions through confidential procedures;

  3. Operates independently of standard administrative law procedures.

Section 11.4 - Therapeutic Use Exemptions Commission

The Therapeutic Use Exemptions Commission:

  1. Reviews applications for therapeutic use exemptions;

  2. Grants exemptions for non-elite athletes requiring prohibited substances for medical reasons.

Section 11.5 - Appeals Commission

The Appeals Commission:

  1. Reviews disciplinary decisions and exemption decisions;

  2. Handles appeals from non-elite athletes;

  3. Elite athlete appeals are directed to international arbitration.

Section 11.6 - International Organisation Appeals

International anti-doping bodies may exercise appeal rights in accordance with international conventions.

Section 12 - Sports Bases

  1. State and municipal sports bases shall serve public needs.

  2. The Cabinet may designate sports bases of national significance.

  3. The Ministry of Education and Science maintains a registry of sports bases.

Section 13 - Sports Financing

  1. State budget priority shall be given to youth sports.

  2. Municipalities and sports organisations provide supplementary funding.

  3. Organisations receiving State support must comply with regulations on the use of funds.

Section 14 - Prize Money Awards

The Cabinet may award financial prizes to athletes, coaches and support staff for exceptional achievements in international competitions.

Section 15 - Sports Event Organisation

Sports event organisers shall ensure:

  1. Public order and safety;

  2. Availability of medical assistance;

  3. Compliance with hygiene requirements;

  4. Fire safety;

  5. Security measures;

  6. Publication of competition rules, with detailed requirements for motorsports.

Section 15.1 - Prohibition of Competition Manipulation

  1. Competition manipulation means compromising the unpredictability of sports competitions.

  2. All participants in sport are obliged to prevent manipulation of competition results.

  3. Violations may result in disciplinary and criminal sanctions.

Section 16 - International Competition Participation

Athletes representing Latvia in international competitions shall use national symbols in accordance with regulations and in coordination with their sports federations.

Section 16.1 - Participation Restrictions

  1. Latvian teams and athletes are prohibited from participating in Russian Federation and Belarus national championships.

  2. Latvian teams are prohibited from participating in mixed-nationality leagues involving Russian or Belarusian teams.

  3. Individual athletes are banned from competing in Russia or Belarus.

Section 17 - Major International Events

  1. Olympic Games participation is organised by the Latvian Olympic Committee.

  2. World and European Championship participation is organised by the relevant sports federations in accordance with international requirements.

Section 17.1 - Event Organisation Prohibitions

  1. Latvia may not host Russian or Belarusian national championships.

  2. Latvia may not host mixed-league competitions involving Russian or Belarusian teams.

  3. Latvian national teams may not play matches against Russian or Belarusian national teams.

Section 18 - Athlete Rights and Duties

  1. Athletes have the right to:

    a) train and participate in sports competitions;

    b) receive information about their rights and obligations.

  2. Athletes are obliged to:

    a) follow federation rules and regulations;

    b) comply with anti-doping codes;

    c) maintain appropriate health insurance.

Section 19 - Professional Athletes

A professional athlete is a person who:

  1. Has concluded an employment contract with a sports organisation;

  2. Receives compensation for training and competition participation.

Section 20 - Sports Workers and Specialists

  1. Sports workers and specialists shall comply with regulations and professional ethics.

  2. Specialists require certification according to Cabinet standards.

  3. Certification is administered by the Federation Council.

Section 21 - Sports Agents

  1. Sports agents are representatives who contract to represent athletes or sports specialists.

  2. Sports agents are prohibited from collaborating with Russian or Belarusian agents.

TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS

(Various provisions regarding implementation timeline, federation recognition procedures, specialist certification, facility registration, and security vetting requirements - 2004-2024)

Full text available at Likumi.lv

Back to list