Lithuania

Lietuvos Respublikos sporto įstatymas

13,351 characters 1995 Data Source

LAW ON PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORT OF THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA

(No. I-1151, adopted 20 December 1995, entered into force 1 February 1996)

CHAPTER I - GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Purpose of the Law

This Law establishes the legal framework for physical education and sport, defines the organisation and management of the sports system, the status and responsibilities of sports organisations, athletes, and coaches, as well as the principles of sports financing and state support.

Article 2. Definitions

For the purposes of this Law:

  1. Physical education - an organised educational process aimed at developing physical abilities, health and motor skills.

  2. Sport - organised or individual physical activity aimed at achieving sporting results, improving physical fitness, and promoting health.

  3. Professional sport - sporting activity pursued as a profession, for which athletes receive remuneration.

  4. Amateur sport - sporting activity pursued without remuneration, for personal development and recreation.

  5. Sports organisation - a legal entity whose main purpose is to develop and promote sport.

  6. Sports federation - a national sports organisation that coordinates the development of a specific sport.

  7. Sports club - a sports organisation that provides conditions for training and competition participation.

  8. Athlete - a natural person who engages in sport.

  9. Professional athlete - an athlete who engages in sport as a profession and receives remuneration.

  10. Coach - a person who trains athletes and manages their sports preparation.

  11. Sports competition - an organised event where athletes compete according to established rules.

  12. High-performance sport - sport at the highest level of competition, including Olympic, World and European Championships.

Article 3. Principles of Physical Education and Sport

Physical education and sport in the Republic of Lithuania are based on the following principles:

  1. Accessibility - everyone has the right to engage in physical education and sport.

  2. Voluntariness - participation in sport is voluntary.

  3. Safety - physical education and sports activities must be conducted safely.

  4. Fair play - sports activities must be conducted honestly and in accordance with ethical standards.

  5. Non-discrimination - no person may be discriminated against based on gender, age, race, nationality, religion, or disability.

  6. Transparency - sports organisations must operate transparently.

CHAPTER II - SPORTS SYSTEM AND MANAGEMENT

Article 4. Sports System

The sports system of the Republic of Lithuania comprises:

  1. Physical education of children and youth;

  2. Physical education of adults;

  3. Sport for persons with disabilities;

  4. Amateur sport;

  5. Professional sport;

  6. High-performance sport.

Article 5. State Management of Sport

  1. The Government of the Republic of Lithuania implements state sports policy.

  2. The Ministry of Education, Science and Sport is responsible for:

    a) developing and implementing state sports policy;

    b) preparing draft legislation on sport;

    c) coordinating international cooperation in sport;

    d) allocating state budget funds for sport.

Article 6. Department of Physical Education and Sports

The Department of Physical Education and Sports under the Government:

  1. Implements state policy in physical education and sport;

  2. Coordinates activities of sports organisations;

  3. Manages state sports programmes;

  4. Maintains registers of sports organisations, athletes and coaches.

Article 7. Municipal Sports Management

Municipal institutions:

  1. Implement local sports policy;

  2. Develop and maintain sports infrastructure;

  3. Support local sports organisations;

  4. Organise local sports events and competitions.

Article 8. Sports Federations

  1. A sports federation is a national organisation that develops a specific sport.

  2. Sports federations:

    a) organise national championships and competitions;

    b) prepare and select athletes for international competitions;

    c) train and certify coaches;

    d) establish rules for their sport;

    e) represent the sport at international level.

  3. Only one federation may be recognised for each sport.

Article 9. Lithuanian Olympic Committee

  1. The Lithuanian Olympic Committee coordinates the Olympic movement in Lithuania.

  2. The Committee:

    a) prepares athletes for Olympic Games;

    b) promotes Olympic values and education;

    c) coordinates with international Olympic bodies.

Article 10. Lithuanian Paralympic Committee

  1. The Lithuanian Paralympic Committee coordinates the Paralympic movement.

  2. The Committee prepares athletes with disabilities for Paralympic Games and other international competitions.

Article 11. Sports Clubs

  1. Sports clubs are the basic units of the sports system.

  2. Sports clubs may be:

    a) amateur sports clubs - non-profit organisations;

    b) professional sports clubs - organisations engaged in professional sport.

  3. Sports clubs provide:

    a) training conditions for athletes;

    b) access to sports facilities;

    c) coaching services.

Article 12. Athletes’ Rights and Obligations

  1. Athletes have the right to:

    a) freely choose their sport and sports organisation;

    b) participate in competitions;

    c) receive information about their rights;

    d) receive medical care and insurance.

  2. Athletes are obliged to:

    a) follow the rules of their sport;

    b) comply with anti-doping regulations;

    c) respect fair play principles.

Article 13. Athletes’ Representative

  1. An Athletes’ Representative is appointed to protect athletes’ rights.

  2. The Representative:

    a) examines athletes’ complaints;

    b) provides consultations;

    c) conducts educational activities on athletes’ rights.

CHAPTER III - COACHES AND INSTRUCTORS

Article 14. Coaches

  1. Coaches must meet qualification requirements established by law.

  2. Coaches are responsible for:

    a) athletes’ sports preparation;

    b) ensuring safe training conditions;

    c) developing athletes’ physical and technical skills.

  3. Coach certification is administered by sports federations in accordance with state requirements.

CHAPTER IV - SPORT IN EDUCATION

Article 15. Physical Education in Educational Institutions

  1. Physical education is mandatory in formal education programmes, except in higher education institutions.

  2. Physical education requirements:

    a) in general education schools - not less than three hours per week;

    b) in higher education institutions (first two years) - not less than two hours per week;

    c) in pre-school and pre-primary education - not less than one hour per day.

  3. Physical education must be accessible to students with special needs.

CHAPTER V - HEALTH AND SAFETY IN SPORT

Article 16. Health Protection in Sport

  1. Athletes must undergo regular medical examinations.

  2. Sports organisations must ensure safe training and competition conditions.

  3. Medical supervision is required at sports competitions.

Article 17. Anti-Doping

  1. The use of prohibited substances and methods in sport is prohibited.

  2. Athletes must comply with national and international anti-doping regulations.

  3. Anti-doping testing is conducted in accordance with World Anti-Doping Code requirements.

Article 18. Insurance

  1. Athletes participating in official competitions must have accident insurance.

  2. Sports organisations are responsible for ensuring insurance coverage for their athletes.

CHAPTER VI - SPORTS FINANCING

Article 19. Sources of Sports Financing

Sports financing comes from:

  1. State budget allocations;

  2. Municipal budgets;

  3. Sports organisations’ own resources;

  4. Sponsors and donors;

  5. Other legal sources.

Article 20. State Budget Financing

  1. The state provides financing for:

    a) development of high-performance sport;

    b) preparation for Olympic and Paralympic Games;

    c) sports infrastructure development;

    d) youth sports programmes.

  2. State financing is allocated through the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport.

Article 21. Municipal Financing

Municipalities finance:

  1. Local sports infrastructure;

  2. Local sports programmes;

  3. Sports activities for children and youth;

  4. Support for local sports clubs.

Article 22. Financing of Sports Federations

  1. Sports federations may receive state funding based on:

    a) number of athletes;

    b) international results;

    c) development programmes;

    d) compliance with good governance principles.

  2. Federations receiving state funding must meet management requirements.

Article 23. Professional Sport Financing

Professional sport is financed primarily from:

  1. Club revenues;

  2. Broadcasting and media rights;

  3. Sponsorship;

  4. Ticket sales.

Article 24. Sports Scholarships

  1. Athletes may receive sports scholarships from state or municipal budgets.

  2. Scholarships are awarded based on sporting achievements.

CHAPTER VII - STATE INCENTIVES FOR ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENTS

Article 25. Awards and Prizes

  1. Athletes achieving outstanding results in Olympic, World and European Championships may receive state awards and monetary prizes.

  2. Coaches of successful athletes may also receive awards.

Article 26. Lifetime Benefits

Athletes who have won medals at Olympic or Paralympic Games may receive lifetime monthly benefits.

Article 27. Employment Period Recognition

Periods of professional sports activity are recognised as employment for pension and social security purposes.

Article 28. Social Guarantees

The state provides social guarantees for:

  1. Athletes ending their sports careers;

  2. Athletes with injuries;

  3. Retired professional athletes.

Article 29. Honorary Titles

Outstanding athletes may be awarded honorary sports titles by the state.

FINAL PROVISIONS

Article 30-51 (Various provisions regarding sports facilities, disputes, transitional provisions, and implementation)

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