Welcome back to the 14th Update, a Newsletter curated by 14 Sports Law, where the world of sports law unfolds with the rhythm of a well-struck penalty kick. We will continue to be a regular fixture on your calendar, hitting your inboxes every month.
Our mission remains unwavering: to decode the complexities of sports law and present them to you in an engaging format. 14th Update is your passport to the latest developments in the arena of sports law, business, and technology. With the ongoing enthusiasm around Paris 2024, this edition shall be dedicated to the Olympics, covering some interesting stories hot off the press.
As always, we invite you to share your thoughts, feedback, and questions with us at [info@14sportslaw.com].
Happy reading!
Best,
Luis Cassiano Neves
Founding Partner, 14 Sports Law
Our friends at Vision Players getting off to a good start in the summer transfer window with the transfer of Danilo Veiga to Estrela Amadora SAD after a spell in Croatia with HNK Rijeka.
Another great job from our friends at Sferico Sports Management, bringing promising young striker Bica to the legendary club Vitória SC.
Glad to have worked with our client Nelson Matos for Lucas Piazon’s move from SC Braga to AFS Vila das Aves; Alfa Semedo also on the move, this time to Saudi Arabia to join Neom Sports Club.
Junior Associate Aakash Batra instructed a class on topic “Sports Law in India” on 10 August 2024 as a part of a Certificate Course on Sports Law organised by the Platform “The IP Press”.
The Paris Olympics 2024 have truly been a spectacle to remember, filled with unforgettable moments even before the games officially kicked off. From Mayor Hidalgo’s dip in the Seine to Lady Gaga’s flamboyant feathers and a star-studded line-up of commentators like Alex Cooper and Snoop Dogg, the event captured global attention. But as the games conclude, it’s the record-breaking athletic performances that stand out. Let’s dive into the world records that were shattered across various sports during this historic Olympics.
Mondo Duplantis (Sweden) broke his own world record in pole vault, clearing 6.25m.
The USA mixed 4x400m relay team (Swimming) (Ryan Murphy, Nic Fink, Gretchen Walsh and Torri Huske) set a world record with a time of 3:37.43.
Swimmer Bobby Finke (USA) set a new world record in the men’s 1,500m freestyle with a time of 14:30.67.
USA women’s 4x100m (Regan Smith, Lilly King, Gretchen Walsh and Torri Huske) swimming medley relay team broke the world record with a time of 3:49.63.
Swimmer Pan Zhanle (China) broke the Men’s 100m freestyle record with 46.40 seconds.
USA Athletics 4x100m mixed relay (Christopher Bailey, Vernon Norwood, Bryce Deadmon, Rai Benjamin) broke the world record with a time of 3:07.41.
USA’s Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone broke her own world record in women’s 400m hurdles with a time of 50.37.
Lim Sihyeon of Republic of Korea broke the Archery world record in women’s 70m 72 arrows round with a score of 694.
Track Cycling saw many world records being shattered: Great Britain with a new world record in women’s team sprint with 45.186; Netherlands in men’s team sprint with 40.949; Australia in men’s team pursuit with 3:40.730; Harrie Lavreysen of Netherlands with a new WR of 9.088 in men’s 200m flying start; and Lea Friedrich of Germany with a new WR of 10.029 in women’s sprint.
Aleksandra Miroslaw (Poland) broke her own world record twice in the women’s speed climbing, with her fastest time being 6.06 seconds.
Tom Watson (USA) also broke his own WR in men’s speed climbing with 4.74.
Weightlifting saw two WRs being broken and both by the same man – Karlos Nasar (Bulgaria) with 224kg (clean and jerk) in men’s 89kg, and 404kg (total) in men’s 89kg.
Katie Vincent (Canada) set a new WR in women’s Canoe sprint single 200m with a time of 44.12.
Three new WRs have been set in Modern Pentathlon – Emiliano Hernandez (Mexico) in laser run with 9:40.80, 720 points; Ahmed Elgendy (Egypt) overall points 1555; and Michelle Gulyas (Hungary) overall points 1461.
It would require a whole manual to jot down the awesome highlights from the Paris Olympics, but here are just a few more that we would like to mention:
Leon Marchand (France), the most decorated Olympian this time around won 5 medals(!!!), gold in all four of his individual swimming events, and a bronze in men’s 4x100m medley relay.
The Summer Games also witnessed 4 countries winning their first ever Olympic medals: Albania with Chermen in men’s 74kg Wrestling with a bronze medal; Saint Lucia, a gold medal by Julian in Athletics women’s 100m; Cape Verde, the first ever bronze medal in men’s 51kg Boxing; and Dominica by winning gold with Thea LaFond in women’s triple jump.
Boxer Cindy Ngamba won the Refugee Olympic team’s first medal.
The men’s Athletics 100m final was another iconic moment – Noah Lyles crossed the line just five-thousandths of a second ahead of Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson to take home gold – a finish so close that Lyles didn’t even realize seconds after he won in a photo finish.
Basketball had two crazy finals, between USA and France in both men and women categories, with USA emerging victorious in both.
In Football, Spain won the final against France in the men’s tournament, and USA won against Brazil in the women’s tournament.
From Simone Biles’ remarkable return to Leon Marchand’s home-nation heroics, the Paris Olympics have delivered unforgettable moments. Turkish shooter Yusuf Dikec’s laid-back style yet precise aim has sparked a celebratory trend among athletes, while Lhamo’s determined finish in the marathon, despite being the last, embodies the Olympic spirit. These are the moments that define the pinnacle of sport and set the stage for even more extraordinary feats in Los Angeles four years from now.
Missed the Mark: Nayoka Clunis’ Olympic Hopes Dashed
In what constituted the 1st case before the CAS Ad Hoc Division, Jamaican athlete Nayoka Clunis’ bid to compete in the hammer throw at the Paris 2024 Olympics ended in disappointment after her application was dismissed. Clunis was initially selected by the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) but was left off the official list submitted to World Athletics due to an oversight. The reallocated spot went to Ukrainian athlete Iryna Klymets. Clunis’ application was rejected by the CAS as it was filed outside its jurisdiction, leaving her Olympic dreams unfulfilled.
Canada Women’s Football Team Points Deduction: Appeal Rejected in drone spying case
In a setback for the Canadian women’s soccer team, the Court of Arbitration for Sport Ad Hoc Division dismissed the appeal filed by the Canadian Olympic Committee and Canada Soccer to cancel or reduce the six-point deduction imposed by FIFA for breaches related to drone regulations at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The FIFA Appeal Committee had previously found the team in violation of rules prohibiting drone flights over training sites, leading to the penalty. Despite their efforts, Canada’s appeal to overturn the decision was unsuccessful. Canada was docked six points, while coach Bev Priestman and officials Joseph Lombardi and Jasmine Mander were banned from any soccer-related activity for one year by FIFA after New Zealand complained that Canadian staff flew drones over their training sessions before their opening match.
Provisional Suspensions Confirmed in Two Olympic Doping Cases
The Court of Arbitration for Sport’s Anti-Doping Division (CAS ADD) has confirmed the provisional suspensions of two athletes competing in the Paris 2024 Olympics. Sajjad Ghanim Sehen Sehen (Iraq, Judo) was suspended after testing positive for anabolic steroids, while Cynthia Temitayo Ogunsemilore (Nigeria, Boxing) faced suspension due to the presence of Furosemide, a prohibited diuretic. Both athletes’ suspensions were upheld by CAS ADD after expedited hearings, effectively barring them from participating in the Olympic Games.
Debate Around Wrerstling Rules and Vinesh Phogat’s Appeal
Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat has filed an application with the CAS Ad Hoc Division challenging United World Wrestling’s decision to disqualify her before the gold medal match of the Women’s Freestyle 50kg competition at the Paris 2024 Olympics due to a failed weigh-in. Initially seeking to annul the decision and be allowed to compete, Phogat now requests a shared silver medal. Debate over wrestling’s weigh-in rules intensified at Paris Olympics and UWW might be compelled to make changes to the weigh-in rules going forward. Vinesh Phogat was disqualified for being 100 grams overweight on day of her final.
It was ruled that Phogat’s appeal was rejected on merits.
Romanian Gymnasts’ Appeals in Floor Exercise Final and Change of Medals
The CAS Ad hoc Division has issued rulings on applications filed by the Romanian Gymnastics Federation and gymnasts Ana Maria Bărbosu and Sabrina Maneca-Voinea, challenging a decision by the FIG regarding the Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Floor Exercise final. The panel partially upheld Bărbosu’s appeal, reinstating Jordan Chiles’ (USA) initial score due to a late inquiry. However, Maneca-Voinea’s appeal concerning her execution penalty was dismissed. Accordingly, the IOC will reallocate the bronze medal to Ana Barbosu (Romania).
Algerian Boxing Champion Files Compliant Over Online Harassment
Algerian Olympic boxing champion Imane Khelif has taken legal action in France against online harassment following her gold medal victory in the women’s welterweight division at the Paris Olympics. The harassment began after her first bout when false claims about her sex and gender identity spread rapidly online, leading to a torrent of misogynistic, racist, and sexist abuse. She has now filed the complaint with a specialized unit of the Paris prosecutor’s office, accusing those responsible of “aggravated cyber-harassment.”
The controversy intensified when her Italian opponent, Angela Carini, withdrew seconds into their match, triggering rumors that Khelif was transgender or male. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) swiftly condemned the misinformation, defending Khelif’s integrity and denouncing the harmful speculation. The incident echoes a broader clash over gender identity in sports, a sensitive issue that has gained global attention. Khelif’s case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by female athletes in combating online abuse and the spread of false narratives.
Ambush Marketing at the Olympics
The Olympics, a symbol of sporting excellence and global unity, also doubles as a high-stakes arena for marketing maneuvers. While athletes dazzle with their feats and nations unite in pride, corporations are locked in a fierce competition for global attention. Yet, amidst this fervor, not all marketing strategies play by the rules. Ambush marketing has emerged as a controversial tactic that challenges the boundaries of intellectual property and advertising laws meant to safeguard official sponsors. Ambush marketing is a strategic move where a company seeks to create an association with a major event like the Olympics without actually paying for official sponsorship. Unlike legitimate sponsorships, which involve hefty fees for exclusive branding rights, ambush marketing aims to capitalize on the event’s visibility and prestige without shouldering the financial costs.
We witnessed a lot many ambush marketing cases at the UEFA Euro 2024, be it Check24 and Puma (Distribution of 5 million unofficial German team shirts featuring Puma branding); Whoop & Cristiano Ronaldo (Fitness monitor brand featured a performance chart tied to Ronaldo and gained significant media attention due to Ronaldo’s star power); or McDonald’s (Renamed products and created themed fan kits in alignment with the event). In Tokyo, we saw the transition to Social Ambush – where non-sponsor brands looking to make connections with athletes competing in the Games did so via a carefully crafted X, Instagram, or Tik Toc posts. Brands should be aware of the potential pitfalls of creative but suggestive marketing campaigns and strategies. We’ll be tracking down the ambush marketing cases now that the Olympics have concluded, and bring them to you in our next edition of the 14th Update!
Novak Djokovic completes the Golden Slam
The Serbian legend came up with one of his best performances ever and after nearly two decades of relentless pursuit, has finally added the one accolade that eluded him - Olympic gold. In a gripping final at the Paris Olympics, Djokovic triumphed over the rising star Carlos Alcaraz in two intense tie-breaks, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest athletes of all time. For Djokovic, this victory was not just another title; it was the culmination of a lifelong dream to bring home Olympic gold for Serbia.
Visibly emotional after the match, Djokovic reflected on the significance of this achievement. “I’m overwhelmed with everything that I’m feeling right now,” he said, expressing the whirlwind of emotions that accompanied his historic win. “The possibility to fight for a gold and to win a gold for the first time in my career for my country is arguably the biggest success I ever had.” At 37, Djokovic’s accomplishment is not just a testament to his skill but also to his enduring passion and determination, qualities that have kept him at the pinnacle of the sport for years.
Novak Djokovic, the holder of a record 24 Grand Slam singles titles, is statistically the greatest tennis player in history. His rise to stardom began early in life when, at four years old, he chose tennis over skiing after his father, a ski coach, gave him a mini racket and ball. Despite the high costs of tennis training, his parents took on high-interest loans, believing in his potential. Djokovic has far exceeded their expectations, repaying their faith and sacrifices many times over.
Djokovic’s Olympic gold also marks his entry into an elite group of tennis legends. By winning all four Grand Slam events and Olympic gold, he joins the ranks of Steffi Graf, Andre Agassi, Rafael Nadal, and Serena Williams as the fifth player to complete the Career Golden Slam. Reflecting on this monumental achievement, Djokovic said, “Yes, [my] puzzle, it is [complete].” He candidly shared his internal struggles, revealing that despite his many victories, he often felt he hadn’t done enough. “It’s probably one of the biggest internal battles that I keep on fighting with myself,” he admitted. Yet, this triumph has brought him a sense of closure, a feeling that he has indeed accomplished everything there is to achieve in tennis.
In his own words, Djokovic summed up the experience: “I want everything there is to win in my individual career, but winning Davis Cup and particularly the golden medal at an Olympic Games for Serbia at the age of thirty-seven is unprecedented.” This win, at this stage in his career, is not just about the victory itself but about the journey, the struggles, and the ultimate realization of a dream that has defined Novak Djokovic’s life.
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