News, Events & Highlights
Department News
2024.04.07
Leading legal minds tackle athlete representation and rules for transgender athletes at LawAccord
Posted on February 15, 2024
LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND – Legal experts tackling topical legal issues confronting IFs including athlete representation, rules for transgender athletes in international sport and how to ensure integrity in decision-making will come together at LawAccord, one of the four specialist streams at this year’s SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit.
There will also be an opportunity to get the inside track on institutional developments, with a presentation and Q&A session from Matthieu Reeb, Director General of the Court of Arbitration for Sport; and Ross Wenzel, General Counsel at the World Anti-Doping Agency. The Sports Law Practice Group from Swiss law firm Kellerhals Carrard will provide an update on recent decisions from the European Court of Justice.
Sport’s most influential industry gathering will take place from 7 to 11 April in Birmingham – West Midlands and bring together more than 1,500 leaders and key decision makers from over 120 International Federations (IFs), the International Olympic Committee and organisations involved in the business of sport.
Meet the speakers!
Hear from sports law experts, including Áine Power, Deputy Legal Director at the International Equestrian Federation, who will share insights on involving athletes when drafting rules:
“The ‘best’ rules are those that are formulated and drafted further to thorough consultation with the relevant stakeholders. It goes without saying that athletes are the key stakeholders in our sport – no athletes, no sport. Therefore, it is essential that we hear from the athletes as part of the rule revision process, it helps us ensure that our rules are fit for purpose.”
Prof Yannis Pitsiladis, Professor of Sport and Exercise Science at Hong Kong Baptist University and member of the IOC Medical and Scientific Commission, will provide a scientific perspective on regulating the participation of transgender athletes in elite sport:
“Establishing policy for the inclusion of transgender athletes in elite sport is immensely challenging due to the need for a fair and non-discrimination policy of integration (inclusion), while considering physiological differences, hormone treatments and sport-specific demands, requiring nuanced assessments amidst our evolving scientific understanding.”
Original research:Strength, power and aerobic capacity of transgender athletes: a cross-sectional study is now live on British Journal of Sports Medicine.
Tanja Haug, Board Member of the Biathlon Integrity Unit will address the need for independent decision-making in international sport:
“In sport, independent models are needed in all areas where integrity is at stake – where adherence to ethical values, unbiased decision-making, avoidance of conflicts of interest, accountability and transparency are crucial to ensure good governance and protect athletes and the future of sport. This applies in particular to the areas of anti-doping, safeguarding, competition manipulation, anti-corruption, vetting and election monitoring.”
For the full list of speakers and topics please see the LawAccord programme: https://www.sportaccord.sport/2024-wsbs/the-schedule-2/?_keyword=law
A special one-day rate of CHF 600 is available to legal practitioners who wish to attend LawAccord only.
If you are interested to attend, please send us an email at lawaccord@sportaccord.sport
LawAccord – join the world’s leading sports law experts and institutional leaders
The delegate pass for World Sport & Business Summit 2024 is available at the rate of CHF 2,000 until 29 February 2024, and will increase to CHF 2,500 from 1 March. Click here to register now.
Partners
The SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit 2024 is supported by a number of partners and suppliers:
Gold Partner: Sport Event Denmark
Silver Partners: EventScotland, Explore Edmonton, Tourism & Events Queensland
Bronze Partner:Sport Liverpool
Official Suppliers: DB Schenker, Wiz-Team
2024.03.28
Empowering athletes in pursuit of sports and education
Empowering athletes in pursuit of sports and education
28 Mar 2024
Click photo to play the video
When people think of universities, they usually think about learning and research. Apart from studies, sports are also a key part of university life at HKBU. Besides offering 24 sports teams for students to develop their skills and talents in sports, HKBU has been conducting sport science research and offering comprehensive and diversified sport science and management programmes to nurture sporting talent.
Dedicated to supporting the development of sports in Hong Kong, HKBU launched the Elite Athletes Admission Scheme (EAAS) in 2016 and has since supported many elite athletes in their pursuit of a university education with flexible study arrangements. In 2022, the University introduced the Talented Athletes Direct Admission Scheme (TADAS) in response to the Student-Athlete Learning Support and Admission Scheme launched by the University Grants Committee.
Olympic gold medallist fencer Cheung Ka-long is one of the top athletes admitted to HKBU through TADAS. Between schoolwork and fencing in international competitions, university life has been, without a doubt, very hectic for Ka-long, and yet he has been able to keep up with his studies under the University’s flexible learning arrangement.
“As I frequently travel overseas for competitions, HKBU has offered flexible study arrangements to meet my needs, so that the schedules of competitions, assignments and exams won’t overlap,” says Ka-long. “In addition, teaching assistants help me set up my learning schedule to ensure I can make progress in my studies.”
Both in sports and academics, hard work is a key for athletes to thrive. Handball player Cheung Ka-ho, who is a student of the Physical Education and Recreation Management programme, notes that student athletes often face intense pressure as they try to compete at a high level while also pursuing their academic goals. He appreciates that HKBU supports student athletes with academic counselling, psychological coaching and career planning. “This gives us more confidence and motivation to take up different challenges. I believe that these measures are very important to student athletes’ growth and development, which also shows the University’s care and support to students,” he says.
Source: Discover HKBU
2024.03.01
7th IOC World Conference on Prevention of Injury and Illness in Sport
SS22 - Technological innovation to protect athlete health through real-time monitoring and decision-making: the case of competition in the heat Tracks
Date: FRIDAY , 1 MARCH , 2024
Time: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Location: Room Camille Blanc
Details
Chair: Dr Chris Esh (Qatar) 17:35 - 17:45 Real-time monitoring of athletes: from the stadium to the desert Chris Esh - Qatar 17:45 - 17:55 The future: technological developments to protect athlete health Yannis Pitsiladis – United Kingdom 17:55 - 18:05 Can we protect 20,000 athletes by monitoring 20 athletes during a mass participation event? Sebastien Racinais – France 18:05 - 18:15 Dealing with extreme heat during major sport events Iphigenia Keramitsoglou – Greece 18:15 - 18:30 Panel Discussion
Speaker
Dr Chris Esh
Postdoctoral Researcher
ASPETAR - Qatar Orthopaedic And Sports Medicine Hospital
Introduction – The need for, and practical implementation of, real-time monitoring for competition in the heat
Dr Chris Esh
Postdoctoral Researcher
ASPETAR - Qatar Orthopaedic And Sports Medicine Hospital
Real-time monitoring of athletes: from the stadium to the desert
5:35 PM - 5:45 PM
Professor Yannis Pitsiladis
Professor and Head
Hong Kong Baptist University
The future: technological developments to protect athlete health
5:45 PM - 5:55 PM
PhD Sebastien Racinais
Research Engineer
CREPS
Can we protect 20,000 athletes by monitoring 20 athletes during a mass participation event?
5:55 PM - 6:05 PM
Dr Iphigenia Keramitsoglou
Research Director
National Observatory of Athens
Dealing with extreme heat during major sport events
6:05 PM - 6:15 PM
Click here to learn more about the 7th IOC World Conference
2024.02.26
Barça Innovation Hub - Sports Tomorrow Congress 2024
2023.12.28
Fencer’s path to helping athletes heal through Chinese medicine
[DISCOVER HKBU]
When she was five, Janelle Leung Ya-lei stumbled across a fencing class at a shopping mall and the chance encounter changed the course of her life. “I saw the fencers suited up in their protective gear, and they looked so cool, so I told my dad I wanted to try it,” she says.
Over time, her passion for fencing grew and when she turned 13, she joined the Fencing Team of Hong Kong, China. The first time she took part in the Asian Junior and Cadet Fencing Championships in 2022, Janelle clinched gold medals in the Junior Category Foil Individual event and Junior Category Foil Team events. Recently, she won a bronze medal in the Women’s Foil Team event at the 2023 Asian Under 23 Fencing Championships.
The enterprising young foil fencer is well on her way to achieve two of her biggest dreams: qualifying for the Olympic Games and becoming a Chinese medicine practitioner who provides healthcare and injury rehabilitation for athletes.
Aspiring to help athletes
For a combat sport which originates in dueling, modern fencing has a relatively low injury rate. Still, fencers may sustain overuse injuries such as strains, sprains, and muscle soreness. To Janelle, injuries can profoundly impact professional athletes.
“For athletes who suffer from injuries, the rehabilitation process may take a long time, which affects their performance and rankings. Therefore, I hope to be able to provide athletes with quality healthcare to help them recover,” she says.
Her interest in sports medicine has turned her attention towards traditional Chinese medicine. She believes traditional Chinese medicine, with its long history and theories of yin and yang and five elements, is effective in preventing chronic illnesses and maintaining health. She is also drawn to Chinese medicine therapies like Tui Na and acupuncture which can aid injured athletes.
With the same assertiveness she applies to fencing, Janelle set her sights on studying Chinese medicine. This year, she was admitted to the Bachelor of Chinese Medicine and Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Biomedical Science programme through HKBU’s Talented Athletes Direct Admission Scheme (TADAS). The University introduced TADAS in response to the Student-Athlete Learning Support and Admission Scheme launched by the University Grants Committee. Besides flexible study arrangements, TADAS also supports outstanding athletes in Hong Kong with personalised mentorship, academic advice, psychological counselling, and career planning.
Dr Hon Sze-sze, Lecturer I of the Department of Sport, Physical Education and Health, coordinates support for elite athletes and says Janelle is driven in her pursuit of academic excellence. “She is resolute in studying Chinese medicine. We are delighted to see students who are determined to take up challenges. The University will support Janelle to help her fulfil her potential in both sports and academic work,” she says.
Janelle Leung Ya-lei was admitted to the Bachelor of Chinese Medicine and Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Biomedical Science programme through HKBU’s Talented Athletes Direct Admission Scheme.
Advancing in sports and studies
As a student athlete, Janelle has to strike a balance between studying and training. Managing a demanding training routine alongside her academic pursuit, Janelle thrives off her busy schedule.
“Balancing my studies and sports development helps me move forward. I use fencing to keep myself from burning out from studying. And when I feel pressure from fencing, I can release it through focusing on my studies,” she says. “I quite enjoy university life.”
She carefully creates a timetable to prioritise different tasks and allocate her time effectively. She also makes use of her time on campus to make new friends and participate in various co-curricular learning opportunities.
Dr Kwan Hiu-yee, Associate Professor of the School of Chinese Medicine, says the School can provide online classes and one-on-one tutorials to accommodate Janelle’s training and competition schedule when necessary. “Janelle has a proactive learning attitude, and she actively asks questions. She also exhibits characteristics of an athlete, such as self-discipline, perseverance, and a strong determination to achieve her goals. These qualities will serve her well in achieving success in both sporting and academic arenas,” says Dr Kwan.
Entering more senior tournaments is Janelle’s short-term goal. Ultimately, she dreams of getting a shot at the Olympic Games and becoming a successful Chinese medicine practitioner who can help athletes in need. “I’m looking forward to performing my best and finding my place in the world,” she says. “Having goals helps me stay motivated.”
Dr Hon Sze-sze (left), Lecturer I of the Department of Sport, Physical Education and Health, coordinates support for elite athletes. Dr Kwan Hiu-yee (right), Associate Professor of the School of Chinese Medicine, says the School can provide online classes and one-on-one tutorials to accommodate Janelle’s training and competition schedule when necessary.
Students who are interested in our TADAS, please refer to Talented Athletes Direct Admission Scheme (TADAS) | Sports | HKBU - The Department of Sport, Physical Education and Health
Leading legal minds tackle athlete representation and rules for transgender athletes at LawAccord
Posted on February 15, 2024
LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND – Legal experts tackling topical legal issues confronting IFs including athlete representation, rules for transgender athletes in international sport and how to ensure integrity in decision-making will come together at LawAccord, one of the four specialist streams at this year’s SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit.
There will also be an opportunity to get the inside track on institutional developments, with a presentation and Q&A session from Matthieu Reeb, Director General of the Court of Arbitration for Sport; and Ross Wenzel, General Counsel at the World Anti-Doping Agency. The Sports Law Practice Group from Swiss law firm Kellerhals Carrard will provide an update on recent decisions from the European Court of Justice.
Sport’s most influential industry gathering will take place from 7 to 11 April in Birmingham – West Midlands and bring together more than 1,500 leaders and key decision makers from over 120 International Federations (IFs), the International Olympic Committee and organisations involved in the business of sport.
Meet the speakers!
Hear from sports law experts, including Áine Power, Deputy Legal Director at the International Equestrian Federation, who will share insights on involving athletes when drafting rules:
“The ‘best’ rules are those that are formulated and drafted further to thorough consultation with the relevant stakeholders. It goes without saying that athletes are the key stakeholders in our sport – no athletes, no sport. Therefore, it is essential that we hear from the athletes as part of the rule revision process, it helps us ensure that our rules are fit for purpose.”
Prof Yannis Pitsiladis, Professor of Sport and Exercise Science at Hong Kong Baptist University and member of the IOC Medical and Scientific Commission, will provide a scientific perspective on regulating the participation of transgender athletes in elite sport:
“Establishing policy for the inclusion of transgender athletes in elite sport is immensely challenging due to the need for a fair and non-discrimination policy of integration (inclusion), while considering physiological differences, hormone treatments and sport-specific demands, requiring nuanced assessments amidst our evolving scientific understanding.”
Original research:Strength, power and aerobic capacity of transgender athletes: a cross-sectional study is now live on British Journal of Sports Medicine.
Tanja Haug, Board Member of the Biathlon Integrity Unit will address the need for independent decision-making in international sport:
“In sport, independent models are needed in all areas where integrity is at stake – where adherence to ethical values, unbiased decision-making, avoidance of conflicts of interest, accountability and transparency are crucial to ensure good governance and protect athletes and the future of sport. This applies in particular to the areas of anti-doping, safeguarding, competition manipulation, anti-corruption, vetting and election monitoring.”
For the full list of speakers and topics please see the LawAccord programme: https://www.sportaccord.sport/2024-wsbs/the-schedule-2/?_keyword=law
A special one-day rate of CHF 600 is available to legal practitioners who wish to attend LawAccord only.
If you are interested to attend, please send us an email at lawaccord@sportaccord.sport
LawAccord – join the world’s leading sports law experts and institutional leaders
The delegate pass for World Sport & Business Summit 2024 is available at the rate of CHF 2,000 until 29 February 2024, and will increase to CHF 2,500 from 1 March. Click here to register now.
Partners
The SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit 2024 is supported by a number of partners and suppliers:
Gold Partner: Sport Event Denmark
Silver Partners: EventScotland, Explore Edmonton, Tourism & Events Queensland
Bronze Partner:Sport Liverpool
Official Suppliers: DB Schenker, Wiz-Team
2024.03.28
Empowering athletes in pursuit of sports and education
Empowering athletes in pursuit of sports and education
28 Mar 2024
Click photo to play the video
When people think of universities, they usually think about learning and research. Apart from studies, sports are also a key part of university life at HKBU. Besides offering 24 sports teams for students to develop their skills and talents in sports, HKBU has been conducting sport science research and offering comprehensive and diversified sport science and management programmes to nurture sporting talent.
Dedicated to supporting the development of sports in Hong Kong, HKBU launched the Elite Athletes Admission Scheme (EAAS) in 2016 and has since supported many elite athletes in their pursuit of a university education with flexible study arrangements. In 2022, the University introduced the Talented Athletes Direct Admission Scheme (TADAS) in response to the Student-Athlete Learning Support and Admission Scheme launched by the University Grants Committee.
Olympic gold medallist fencer Cheung Ka-long is one of the top athletes admitted to HKBU through TADAS. Between schoolwork and fencing in international competitions, university life has been, without a doubt, very hectic for Ka-long, and yet he has been able to keep up with his studies under the University’s flexible learning arrangement.
“As I frequently travel overseas for competitions, HKBU has offered flexible study arrangements to meet my needs, so that the schedules of competitions, assignments and exams won’t overlap,” says Ka-long. “In addition, teaching assistants help me set up my learning schedule to ensure I can make progress in my studies.”
Both in sports and academics, hard work is a key for athletes to thrive. Handball player Cheung Ka-ho, who is a student of the Physical Education and Recreation Management programme, notes that student athletes often face intense pressure as they try to compete at a high level while also pursuing their academic goals. He appreciates that HKBU supports student athletes with academic counselling, psychological coaching and career planning. “This gives us more confidence and motivation to take up different challenges. I believe that these measures are very important to student athletes’ growth and development, which also shows the University’s care and support to students,” he says.
Source: Discover HKBU
2024.03.01
7th IOC World Conference on Prevention of Injury and Illness in Sport
SS22 - Technological innovation to protect athlete health through real-time monitoring and decision-making: the case of competition in the heat Tracks
Date: FRIDAY , 1 MARCH , 2024
Time: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Location: Room Camille Blanc
Details
Chair: Dr Chris Esh (Qatar) 17:35 - 17:45 Real-time monitoring of athletes: from the stadium to the desert Chris Esh - Qatar 17:45 - 17:55 The future: technological developments to protect athlete health Yannis Pitsiladis – United Kingdom 17:55 - 18:05 Can we protect 20,000 athletes by monitoring 20 athletes during a mass participation event? Sebastien Racinais – France 18:05 - 18:15 Dealing with extreme heat during major sport events Iphigenia Keramitsoglou – Greece 18:15 - 18:30 Panel Discussion
Speaker
Dr Chris Esh
Postdoctoral Researcher
ASPETAR - Qatar Orthopaedic And Sports Medicine Hospital
Introduction – The need for, and practical implementation of, real-time monitoring for competition in the heat
Dr Chris Esh
Postdoctoral Researcher
ASPETAR - Qatar Orthopaedic And Sports Medicine Hospital
Real-time monitoring of athletes: from the stadium to the desert
5:35 PM - 5:45 PM
Professor Yannis Pitsiladis
Professor and Head
Hong Kong Baptist University
The future: technological developments to protect athlete health
5:45 PM - 5:55 PM
PhD Sebastien Racinais
Research Engineer
CREPS
Can we protect 20,000 athletes by monitoring 20 athletes during a mass participation event?
5:55 PM - 6:05 PM
Dr Iphigenia Keramitsoglou
Research Director
National Observatory of Athens
Dealing with extreme heat during major sport events
6:05 PM - 6:15 PM
Click here to learn more about the 7th IOC World Conference
2024.02.26
Barça Innovation Hub - Sports Tomorrow Congress 2024
2023.12.28
Fencer’s path to helping athletes heal through Chinese medicine
[DISCOVER HKBU]
When she was five, Janelle Leung Ya-lei stumbled across a fencing class at a shopping mall and the chance encounter changed the course of her life. “I saw the fencers suited up in their protective gear, and they looked so cool, so I told my dad I wanted to try it,” she says.
Over time, her passion for fencing grew and when she turned 13, she joined the Fencing Team of Hong Kong, China. The first time she took part in the Asian Junior and Cadet Fencing Championships in 2022, Janelle clinched gold medals in the Junior Category Foil Individual event and Junior Category Foil Team events. Recently, she won a bronze medal in the Women’s Foil Team event at the 2023 Asian Under 23 Fencing Championships.
The enterprising young foil fencer is well on her way to achieve two of her biggest dreams: qualifying for the Olympic Games and becoming a Chinese medicine practitioner who provides healthcare and injury rehabilitation for athletes.
Aspiring to help athletes
For a combat sport which originates in dueling, modern fencing has a relatively low injury rate. Still, fencers may sustain overuse injuries such as strains, sprains, and muscle soreness. To Janelle, injuries can profoundly impact professional athletes.
“For athletes who suffer from injuries, the rehabilitation process may take a long time, which affects their performance and rankings. Therefore, I hope to be able to provide athletes with quality healthcare to help them recover,” she says.
Her interest in sports medicine has turned her attention towards traditional Chinese medicine. She believes traditional Chinese medicine, with its long history and theories of yin and yang and five elements, is effective in preventing chronic illnesses and maintaining health. She is also drawn to Chinese medicine therapies like Tui Na and acupuncture which can aid injured athletes.
With the same assertiveness she applies to fencing, Janelle set her sights on studying Chinese medicine. This year, she was admitted to the Bachelor of Chinese Medicine and Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Biomedical Science programme through HKBU’s Talented Athletes Direct Admission Scheme (TADAS). The University introduced TADAS in response to the Student-Athlete Learning Support and Admission Scheme launched by the University Grants Committee. Besides flexible study arrangements, TADAS also supports outstanding athletes in Hong Kong with personalised mentorship, academic advice, psychological counselling, and career planning.
Dr Hon Sze-sze, Lecturer I of the Department of Sport, Physical Education and Health, coordinates support for elite athletes and says Janelle is driven in her pursuit of academic excellence. “She is resolute in studying Chinese medicine. We are delighted to see students who are determined to take up challenges. The University will support Janelle to help her fulfil her potential in both sports and academic work,” she says.
Janelle Leung Ya-lei was admitted to the Bachelor of Chinese Medicine and Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Biomedical Science programme through HKBU’s Talented Athletes Direct Admission Scheme.
Advancing in sports and studies
As a student athlete, Janelle has to strike a balance between studying and training. Managing a demanding training routine alongside her academic pursuit, Janelle thrives off her busy schedule.
“Balancing my studies and sports development helps me move forward. I use fencing to keep myself from burning out from studying. And when I feel pressure from fencing, I can release it through focusing on my studies,” she says. “I quite enjoy university life.”
She carefully creates a timetable to prioritise different tasks and allocate her time effectively. She also makes use of her time on campus to make new friends and participate in various co-curricular learning opportunities.
Dr Kwan Hiu-yee, Associate Professor of the School of Chinese Medicine, says the School can provide online classes and one-on-one tutorials to accommodate Janelle’s training and competition schedule when necessary. “Janelle has a proactive learning attitude, and she actively asks questions. She also exhibits characteristics of an athlete, such as self-discipline, perseverance, and a strong determination to achieve her goals. These qualities will serve her well in achieving success in both sporting and academic arenas,” says Dr Kwan.
Entering more senior tournaments is Janelle’s short-term goal. Ultimately, she dreams of getting a shot at the Olympic Games and becoming a successful Chinese medicine practitioner who can help athletes in need. “I’m looking forward to performing my best and finding my place in the world,” she says. “Having goals helps me stay motivated.”
Dr Hon Sze-sze (left), Lecturer I of the Department of Sport, Physical Education and Health, coordinates support for elite athletes. Dr Kwan Hiu-yee (right), Associate Professor of the School of Chinese Medicine, says the School can provide online classes and one-on-one tutorials to accommodate Janelle’s training and competition schedule when necessary.
Students who are interested in our TADAS, please refer to Talented Athletes Direct Admission Scheme (TADAS) | Sports | HKBU - The Department of Sport, Physical Education and Health