Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in early 2022 sanctions were implemented that banned
Russia from most international sports. As a result sport governing bodies (SGBs) have made a
marked shift in their tradition of neutrality to a point of no return. In light of this this
book asks what is next for SGBs. It provides an analysis of the root problem that sport
governing bodies have had with politics since their inception: a paradoxical treatment of
neutrality. This can be evidenced by their awarding of Mega-Sport Events to authoritarian
states and also through the SGBs' own desire to make a difference by promoting human rights and
sustainable development. Good or bad the author argues that their neutrality principles are
invalidated by their actions. Offering interdisciplinary research with empirical examples this
issue is explored in an engaging yet analytical way making it valuable reading for
researchers and students interested in sport management for organisations and also policy
makers. This book presents a pioneering study of neutrality and autonomy in sport in light of
the Ukraine crisis and addresses a growing appetite in academia on how sport governing bodies
will reconcile their commitments to societal progress whilst maintaining neutrality.
