The Olympic Games thrive on high-performing children – some of them so young that they are not even allowed to compete in the Youth Olympic Games. Jens Weinreich discusses why it is so hard for Olympic sports federations to set age limits and shows how it leaves child athletes vulnerable to authoritarian states chasing medals and sport glory.

Pro cycling’s unfortunate Van Gansen decision has underscored a fatal flaw in sport, and shows that cycling – and all Olympic sports – must reconsider the concept of ‘the autonomy of sport’ in order to better protect athletes. UCI President David Lappartient has the opportunity to cement his legacy by taking the lead on this issue.

The wounds in the international anti-doping community are unlikely to be healed after the Court of Arbitration for Sport put a legal end to six years of the Russian-international doping scandal. Was CAS under influence of the IOC, or is sports law not strong enough yet?

A new generation of women are speaking up for their rights in sport. While older generations of female athletes mostly fought for equality in the structures, contemporary athletes have a broader perspective.

Lawyer Sylvia Schenk adds her voice to the many calls on the IOC to clarify what it counts as a political statement for athletes, and to resolve its own dilemma in Belarus.

Belarusian President Lukashenko’s police has arrested several high-profile athletes for peaceful protests against the president’s re-election in August. The athletes turn to the IOC for help because Lukashenko is also president of the National Olympic Committee. But will the IOC break its long-lasting loyalty to ‘Europe’s last dictator’?

Rule 50.2 in the IOC’s Charter is a clear violation of the human rights of athletes to free speech and expression, argues Nikki Dryden who proposes a framework for how the IOC should view speech and create a fair and transparent process for alleged breaches of Rule 50.2.

Athletes’ gestures is a form of non-verbal communication that is protected in international human rights law, explains Faraz Shahlaei and argues that sport governing bodies need to comply with international norms.