THE EUROPEAN SPORT MODEL: CONCEPTUAL FOUNDATIONS AND PRINCIPLES OF FUNCTIONING

Abstract

The organisation of sport in the European Union (EU) is based on the European model, which is supported by international sports structures and is socially oriented, founded on shared societal values. Ukraine has been independent for over 30 years, during which the country has been seeking directions for its further development, realising that the outdated administrative-command mechanisms are no longer effective. The aspirations of Ukrainian society to become an integral part of the EU have prompted an examination of the European experience in the functioning of sport, with a particular focus on European countries.Objective: to identify promising directions for organisational changes in Ukrainian sport in accordance with the European sport model.Methods: analysis of literary sources, documentary materials, official websites of organisations; content analysis; synthesis and generalisation; comparison; systematic approach; abstracting.Results. Based on the analysis of legal documents of the EU and the Council of Europe, the chronology of the emergence term “European sport model” was studied, its key elements were summarised and their implementation in Ukrainian sport was identified. The problems hindering the implementation of the European sport model in Ukraine were also highlighted.Conclusions. The term “European sport model” was first introduced by the Council of Europe. During the 1990s and 2000s, the European Commission questioned the concept of a unified of a European sports model due to a certain organisational differences among EU countries. The use of this term by the European Commission began after 2020, reflecting an evolution in perspective: from doubts about the possibility of the phenomenon’s holistic existence to its recognition and application. European sports policy aims to create the conditions for implementing key aspects declared in a number of official documents, while upholding the fundamental right of every individual to engage in sport. The European sport model is focused on societal values and is organised on an autonomous, democratic, voluntary, and territorial basis with a pyramidal structure. It encompasses all levels of sport, includes club competitions and national team competitions, and provides for financial solidarity. In addition to the key elements, a number of characteristics inherent to the European sport model are identified, which should be integrated into the development of national sports policies in Ukraine. A comparison of the domestic sports system with the key elements of the European sports model confirmed significant discrepancies in most areas. Among the challenges to implementing the European sport model are: substantial centralisation of state authority in the field of sport; lack of autonomy of sports federations; underdevelopment of the club system, with commercial sports clubs prevailing over public associations; lack of a culture of sports volunteering; a large number of sports organisations (a legacy of the Soviet era) seeking state funding; low levels of public involvement in physical activity; insufficient material and technical infrastructure; university and school sports failing to meet the needs of young people; issues of accessibility, respect for human rights, gender equality, and social cohesion; difficulties in implementing innovations; non-compliance with principles of democracy, accountability, transparency, and social responsibility; and the absence of financial solidarity mechanisms. These challenges can be addressed through comprehensive reforms in the organisation of Ukrainian sport, which will bring it closer to the European model.