The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is the world’s leading sports law forum and was established on 30 June 1984.
Having its headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, CAS is regarded as the only tribunal that can hear disputes over the interpretation of the Olympic Charter; it is the sole tribunal of appeal from decisions of the world Anti-Doping Agency and the final tribunal of appeal for many major international sports federations.
This position at the top of the sporting-legal world and the general acceptance of its decisions has required CAS to ensure that its reasoning is grounded in appropriate legal basis. In looking not only to the form and substance of the sporting rules before it but also by drawing on what are generally considered to be universally accepted legal principles when forming its opinions and advices, CAS jurisprudence is creating what is becoming known as a transnational, universally applicable sports law.
CAS is independent of any sports organisations and is considered the highest international dispute resolution forum for legal cases relating to sports, including commercial disputes (e.g. issues arising from sponsorship agreements or player contracts) and discipline (e.g. doping, non-compliance with codes of conduct). It also acts as an appeals court for decisions made by sporting organisations’ own arbitration systems or dispute resolution mechanisms, including global associations with disciplinary arms such as FIFA and the International Olympic Committee.
In May 2012, Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, became one of only four cities in the world to host a permanent CAS court, the other cities being Lausanne, Sydney and New York.
CAS Abu Dhabi is a joint venture between the International Council of Arbitration for Sport (ICAS) and the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department. This joint venture agreement was signed as per the directives of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and the Minister of Presidential Affairs.
According to the agreement, the CAS Abu Dhabi Centre will hold arbitration hearings, organise meetings, seminars and other activities related to the development and promotion of sport’s legal aspects in the region. The Abu Dhabi office of sport's highest court will also handle local, regional and international sports-related disputes and provide the required facilities to conduct video calls with experts and witnesses from around the world. The facilities include onsite meeting rooms, communications and internet infrastructure, audio and videoconferencing systems and technical equipment as well as all human resources required to operate the centre.
The launch of a CAS facility in Abu Dhabi will provide the opportunity for specialised adjudication of sports related disputes, something that is becoming more common in the Gulf with the rapid rise of participation in sports and the hosting of major sporting events. In such cases, conducting hearings (live or via the centre’s technology) in the UAE rather than in Switzerland, can potentially save significant costs and shorten periods for resolution.
The first case brought before CAS Abu Dhabi for resolution is currently waiting for a decision. The case involved the appeal of an Indian swimmer, Amar Muralidharan, against a doping ban. The swimmer based his appeal against the decision of the Indian national anti-steroids committee in New Delhi, which convicted him of using banned substances and issued a suspension from competition for two years. The CAS assigned seasoned independent arbitrator, Michele Bernasconi, from Switzerland, to hear the case as a sole arbitrator. Muralidharan, his two lawyers and his father attended the first hearing. At the time of printing this article, a follow up with the Abu Dhabi CAS centre indicates that the case is still under scrutiny and a determination of the appeal is imminent.
In a previous case with some similarities heard by CAS: United States Olympic Committee v International Olympic Committee CAS 2011/0/2422, CAS referred to the generally-applicable principles of sports law, in a review of its own jurisprudence declaring what was at that time Rule 45 of the Olympic Charter unlawful. Rule 45 had been introduced to impose a greater sanction on athletes found guilty of a doping offence and suspended from competition for six months or longer; in such a case, the athlete would be banned additionally from competing in the summer and winter Olympic Games immediately following the completion of their suspension. CAS held Rule 45 to be unlawful primarily on the grounds that by introducing an additional punishment unilaterally that was not sanctioned by the World Anti-Doping Agency Code, the International Olympic Committee had not followed its own rules and procedures. In other words, it had acted ultra vires, or beyond its powers.
The introduction of fundamental generally applicable or universally accepted principles of law into the jurisprudence of CAS provides it with an opportunity to set minimum standards of procedural fairness and governance that are applicable across all sports to compliment its ability to cater to the specificity of sport. Furthermore, it provides CAS’s decisions with an underpinning legalism that mature legal systems consider integral to continued and reliable operations.
Adidas and TTOC hold Rio 2016 meeting at Olympic House
The Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) and Adidas will discuss the Rio 2016 Olympics over the next two days at Olympic House in Port of Spain, Trinidad.
Adidas and the national Olympic committee have a long standing partnership.
The German sportswear multinational is the TTOC podium and sportswear partner.
Adidas representatives will present to TTOC officials T&T's Rio 2016 Olympic podium and sportswear designs for the TTOC 's approval.
Bledman leads the world
Baptiste sizzles in comeback century
Keston Bledman bolted to the top of the 2015 world performance list when he scorched the track in 10.01 seconds for a convincing victory in the Tom Jones Memorial men’s 100 metres dash, in Florida, USA, on Friday.
The Trinidad and Tobago track star finished well ahead of his closest challenger, American Marvin Bracy securing second spot in 10.11.
Two Saturdays ago, also in Florida, Bledman ran his first 100m race for the season, clocking a wind-assisted 9.97 seconds. He returned to the track later in the day for victory in the final in a windy 9.94.
On Friday, the wind cooperated with Bledman, and he produced the sixth fastest legal time of his career.
Another T&T sprinter, Richard “Torpedo” Thompson is third on the 2015 world performance list at 10.04, behind Bledman (10.01) and American Trayvon Bromell (10.02).
Kelly-Ann Baptiste dived under 11 seconds in her first 100m outing since the completion of a 21-month doping ban, in January.
Baptiste won the Tom Jones Memorial women’s century in 10.98 seconds, the clocking earning her fourth spot on the 2015 world performance list. Jamaican Elaine Thompson and American Jenna Prandini are joint-first at 10.92, while third spot is occupied by another T&T sprinter, Michelle-Lee Ahye, who clocked 10.97 seconds on April 2.
At the Penn Relays, in Pennsylvania, St Augustine Secondary student Portious Warren seized silver in the high school girls’ shot put championship. The 2015 Carifta Games under-20 champion threw the iron ball 14.69 metres.
Coppin State University’s Deandra Daniel finished sixth in the college women’s high jump with a 1.74m clearance. Steve Waithe was eighth in the college men’s triple jump, the Pennsylvania State University student disturbing the sand at 15.41m.
Andre Marcano clocked 10.95 seconds for ninth spot in the Olympic Development men’s 100m dash. Toco Secondary’s Terrel Paul was 15th in the high school boys’ triple jump with a 13.54m effort.
St Benedict’s College student, Iley Bruce was 22nd in the high school boys’ 3,000m in nine minutes, 36.71 seconds. And Temple University’s Kiersten LaRoche produced a wind-aided 5.07m jump to finish 48th in the college women’s long jump.
Bishop’s High School, Tobago students, Ako Hislop, Akanni Hislop, Aaron Lewis and Dwight St Hillaire teamed up for eighth spot in the high school boys’ 4x100m small schools event in 42.48 seconds.
Queen’s Royal College emerged as the best of the T&T schools in the high school boys’ 4x400m event, Jesse Frederick, Keivonne Alexander, Elijah Smith and Jacob St Clair teaming up for fourth spot in their section in 3:21.96.
St Francois Girls College was the most impressive of the T&T schools in the high school girls’ 4x100m event. Jeneil Morris, Kadesha Prescott, Jeminise Parris and Thyla-Marie Scott teamed up for 24th spot overall in the large schools category in 49.80 seconds.
In the high school girls’ 4x400m, the Bishop Anstey High School combination of Kafi Ottley, Deleth Charles, Je’Risa James and Jeunice Maxime returned a time of 4:04.11 to finish fourth in their section.
Deon Lendore anchored his university, Texas A&M to silver in the college men’s 4x400m championship of America in 3:04.99. He also anchored Texas A&M to silver in the college men’s 4x100m championship of America in 39.56 seconds.
In the masters men’s 65 and older 100m dash, Terrance Skinner finished third in 13.87 seconds. And in the masters men’s 55 and older 100m, Wayne Marcano was fifth in 13.10.
University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) finished 26th in the college men’s 4x200m in 1:29.65, 33rd in the college men’s sprint medley (3:41.15), 37th in the college women’s 4x200m (1:43.66), and 49th in the college men’s 4x400m (3:25.50).
At the Drake Relays, in Iowa, Arizona State University junior Jamol James finished 10th in the men’s long jump with a 7.25m leap. And Baylor University senior, Dannielle Davis was 22nd overall in the women’s 100m hurdles in 14.61 seconds.
Ahye flies in windy 200
Victory too for Bellille
Michelle-Lee Ahye blazed the track in a wind-aided 22.01 seconds for a huge victory in the Bobcat Classic women’s 200 metres, in Texas, USA, on Saturday.
The clocking is the fastest time in the world this year and the fastest ever recorded by a female athlete from Trinidad and Tobago. However, it will not be recognised as a national record since the following wind was 2.9 metres per second—above the 2.0 legal limit.
Allison Peter finished a distant second, the United States Virgin Islands athlete getting to the line in 23.28.
Another T&T sprinter, Reyare Thomas was second in section two and fourth overall in 23.47 seconds.
Janeil Bellille struck gold in the women’s 400m, the T&T athlete completing her lap of the track in 52.95 seconds. Jessica James clocked 55.44 to secure ninth spot overall.
Texas State University student, Aaron George produced a wind-assisted 7.40 metres effort for fourth spot in the men’s long jump. His best legal leap in the competition was 7.38m.
Domonique Williams topped the women’s 400m field, at the Western Texas A&M University Open Twilight meet. The South Plains College student clocked 53.08 seconds. Another T&T athlete, Western Texas College’s Marissa Gale finished second in 54.97. New Mexico Junior College athlete, Kayelle Clarke was fourth overall in 56.47.
John Mark Constantine bagged men’s 100m bronze, the Western Texas College sprinter getting home in 10.52 seconds.
Jereem Richards was fourth overall in the men’s 400m in 47.85 seconds. And his South Plains teammate, Aaliyah Telesford clocked 12.04 for fifth spot overall in the women’s 100m.
At the Brigham Young University (BYU) Robison Invitational, in Utah, Marsha Mark-Baird won the women’s long jump with a 5.90m leap. She was third in the 100m hurdles in 14.52 seconds, and fifth in the javelin with a 41.10m throw.
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/sports/Ahye-flies-in-windy-200-301375621.html
11 get coaching certificates
JOSH PINARD was among 11 recipients of a Level I squash certificate recently at Cascadia Squash Club, St Ann’s.Everyone who attended the clinic qualified and the two-time national champion was not the only national player on the list.
The 2013 national veterans’ (Over-40) champ Peter Pirtheesingh and Diane Julien were also involved as well as former successful players Julian Henry and Ryan Jagessar, already one of the top coaches in the country.
National junior players James Lanser and Gabriella Scott also obtained certificates, along with Chin Lee, Bridget Poon, Marc Parker and former public relations officer of the Trinidad and Tobago Squash Association Barry Bibby.
David Scott, a Level Two coach, arranged with his long-time friend Carl Ince to conduct the course.
The Guyanese is on the list of persons with Elite Status Coaching Certification and he attained Level Four status in England.
Ince was very impressed with the participants and is looking forward to return to conduct the Level Two course.
USOC launches website for donating gifts to Olympic and Paralympic athletes
The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) has launched a new campaign to support the nation’s Olympic and Paralympics athletes including a crowd-funding website for donating gifts to the squad.
The United States Olympic and Paralympic Foundation (USOPF) project, the Team USA Registry, invites fans to buy meaningful presents, such as a pair of goggles, running shoes, a boccia ball set, childcare services or plane tickets for travelling to a competition, to help offset the more than $40,000 (£26,000/€37,000) training costs for each athlete.
“Unlike most National Olympic Committees, the US Olympic Committee receives no Government funding, and we’re being outspent by our competitors at an increasing rate,” said Jon Denney, USOPF President and USOC chief development officer.
“Team USA relies on the ‘Team Behind the Team,’ - generous donors and sponsors - to help US athletes remain competitive with the rest of the world.
“The Team USA Registry offers donors a new and unique way to join Team USA on the Road to Rio.”
The TeamUSARegistry.org website means fans will have the option to shop by category, sport or amount of money they wish to spend on the athletes.
Users will also have the option to donate a gift on behalf of another person and fans will receive a shareable social media badge of acknowledgement for backing Team USA after making a donation.
Swimmer Natalie Coughlin, a 12-time Olympic medallist and former world champion, spoke of the importance of supporting the nation’s athletes, particularly ahead of Rio 2016.
“To a US Olympic or Paralympic athlete, ‘training’ requires specialised equipment, world-class coaching, sports medicine, travel expenses and nutrition services,” she said.
“This support is more important today than ever, as there are athletes who have the potential, but not the means, to achieve their Olympic and Paralympic dreams.”
To donate click here.