The name Brussels has become largely synonymous with the regulatory role of the EU. Yet
Brussels is also a source of inspiration especially in such areas where the EU is not
empowered to regulate and this side of Brussels is a rather different one. The emerging policy
field of sport (which only recently got a legal base in the Treaty of Lisbon) illustrates the
complementarity of inspiration versus regulation coming from Brussels. By drawing on two case
studies the fight against doping and the promotion of health-enhancing physical activity the
book shows that inspiration from Brussels takes on a special dimension in relation to sport and
physical activity because sport policies are often heavily dependent on various largely
unquestioned arrangements which are in place at national regional or local level. While
EU-level regulation remains a possibility in certain cases the scope for regulation is very
limited. The scope for inspiration by contrast is almost endless. The sport sector is a
natural candidate for inspiration and inspiration from Brussels can be an opportunity for
renewal.
