In the globalised world of international sports, where athletes from all over the planet compete in events such as the World Cup and the Olympic Games, winning can be a matter of life or death. As a result, winning is a subject of intense debate in sport and the social issues that surround it.

From the very beginning of modern sport, international competition has had a profound impact on the development of global culture. When ancient city states of the Greek mainland would meet for the Olympic Games, all of their internal struggles were put on hold as they focused on a shared interest—the athletic contest. This precedent set the stage for what international sports has become today.

A few examples of international sports include the FIFA World Cup (which recently saw Brazil and Germany tied for most wins), the quadrennial Volvo Ocean Race, and the annual Tour de France cycle race. Each of these sports has national teams that are members of their respective international federations. The international federations are non-governmental organisations that govern their sports at the international level and are recognised by the International Olympic Committee.

There are a number of books that focus on the legal and ethical issues surrounding international sports. Some are more general, such as Jack Anderson’s Leading cases in international sports law. Others focus on specific topics such as the code of arbitration for international sports organizations and the jurisprudence of the Court of Arbitration for Sport.