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Individual Sport Contracts

Are Olympic prize money taxed in Georgia?

No, prize money received for winning or placing in Olympic, World, and European Championships is exempt from income tax under the Tax Code of Georgia.

Can I compete for another country?

Yes, but changing sporting citizenship requires the approval of both national federations and the international federation, and often a waiting period (typically 3 years).

What if my federation refuses to fund me?

Funding is usually discretionary, but if you meet established criteria for scholarships, a lawyer can appeal the decision to the Ministry of Sport or the Olympic Committee.

Who pays for my medical treatment?

If the injury occurred during national team duty, the federation is typically responsible. For other injuries, it depends on your personal insurance and contract.

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Individual sport contracts differ fundamentally from team sport contracts (football, basketball). Georgia is traditionally strong in individual disciplines (judo, wrestling, weightlifting, tennis), where an athlete's income and career development depend not on a club, but on the national federation, state funding, and personal sponsors. Here, the athlete is more of an "individual entrepreneur" than a hired employee. Legal relations involve funding agreements with the federation, scholarship agreements with the Olympic Committee, and contracts with commercial sponsors. Qualified legal assistance is necessary for the athlete to protect their rights when dealing with state structures and international anti-doping organizations.

What Does the Individual Sport Contracts Service Cover?

Our service is tailored to the needs of individual athletes:

  • Relations with the Federation: Signing funding and national team membership agreements with the national federation. It is important to clearly define rights and obligations (e.g., attending training camps).
  • State Scholarships and Prize Money: Legal assurance of receiving due monetary awards from the Ministry and the Olympic Committee, and tax consultation.
  • Sponsorship and Equipment: Signing personal advertising contracts (e.g., with kimono or racket manufacturers) ensuring no conflict of interest with the federation's general sponsor.
  • Anti-Doping Defense: Representation in disputes related to doping tests with the Georgian Anti-Doping Agency (GADA) and international federations.
  • Change of Citizenship: Legal procedures for obtaining the right to compete for another country (sporting citizenship).

Real-World Situations When You Need This Service

The following legal problems are common in individual sports:

  • Termination of Funding: The federation stopped the athlete's scholarship citing disciplinary misconduct. The lawyer appeals the decision and demands reinstatement of funding.
  • Non-selection for the National Team: The coach did not take a leading athlete to the Olympics or World Championships for subjective reasons. Legal verification of selection criteria is required.
  • Delay of Prize Money: The state delays the transfer of the promised bonus. The lawyer ensures communication with the Ministry to expedite the process.
  • Injury at Training Camp: Dispute with the federation regarding the costs of treating an injury sustained during a national team training camp.

Georgian Legal Framework

Individual sports are regulated by the "Law of Georgia on Sport" and Decrees of the Minister of Culture and Sport of Georgia (rules for issuing scholarships and bonuses). Relations with the federation are mainly contractual and based on the Civil Code. Anti-doping issues are regulated by the WADA Code and the rules of the Georgian Anti-Doping Agency. From a tax perspective, the Tax Code is important, as it defines tax exemptions for Olympic champions.

Process: How a Specialist Works

A lawyer's work includes:

  1. Contract Preparation: Drafting the project of the agreement to be signed with the federation.
  2. Advocacy: Defending the athlete's interests in disciplinary committees.
  3. Negotiation: Agreeing on commercial terms with sponsors.

Why Legal.ge?

Lawyers represented on Legal.ge are well-versed in the specifics of Georgian sports, where state funding dominates. They will help you overcome bureaucratic barriers and ensure that your sporting achievements are properly valued and legally protected.

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Specialists for this service

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