The evolution of rule of law in the Olympic Movement and the International Olympic Committee’s shift toward legal expertise (1972–1994)

Abstract Between 1972 and 1994, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) underwent a transformation in its legal framework that continues to serve as the basis for lex Olympica . This study examines through a historical narrative how the IOC shifted from informal governance structures to a sophisticated, law-based system. Through an analysis of IOC archival materials, the paper focuses on the role of legal experts, who advised IOC presidents Lord Killanin (1970s) and Juan Antonio Samaranch (1980s and 1990s) as they oversaw the IOC’s legal evolution. Those experts initiated the formalization of the IOC legal structures and later expanded legal mechanisms into arbitration and commercialization. The establishment of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and the evolution of the Olympic Charter reflect these shifts. However, the paper also argues that the creation of lex Olympica was not merely an internally initiated development but a necessity driven by global sport governance challenges such as political disputes, commercial interests, and doping crises. As such, this historical narrative provides a foundation for further research on the impact of law on the Olympic Movement.