The Naturalization of Athletes in Private International Law – Legal Challenges and Solutions

The naturalization of athletes under the provisions of private international law represents a growing legal phenomenon, carrying with it opportunities and benefits for states, along with a range of positive and negative effects. However, it also raises profound challenges related to the principles of sovereignty, conflict of laws, human rights, and sports integrity. This necessitates international legislative intervention to regulate and codify the practice in a manner that balances the interests of states with the respect for sporting values. The issue of athlete naturalization falls within the domestic jurisdiction of the state and is thus considered an exclusive competence in regulating its nationality, stemming from the principle of state sovereignty. However, a key question arises: Does the state enjoy absolute freedom in establishing rules for the naturalization of athletes, or is it, on the contrary, subject to certain limitations that restrict its authority in regulating nationality? To address the legal problem at hand and the desired research objectives, the following research plan was adopted:Section One: The Nature of Sports NaturalizationSection Two: The Rules of International Federations Regarding the Naturalization of Athletes and the Problems Resulting From Them