Triathlon lawyer in Belgium
Three disciplines, one set of rules and a lot of organisation
A triathlete trains like a professional athlete and often starts as an age grouper. The same rulebook runs through both worlds: the same competition rules, the same anti-doping rules and the same qualification criteria. The organisation comes on top of that, because a triathlon uses the public road, open water and a transition area at the same time. We assist athletes, clubs, coaches and organisers, from a contested selection to the liability after an accident in open water.
Triatlon Vlaanderen organises the sport in Flanders and the LFTri does the same in the French speaking community. Together they work within the national federation, which is the Belgian voice at World Triathlon. Qualification for a European Championship, a World Championship or the Olympic Games follows criteria that are partly set internationally and that differ per category. Everest Sports Law handles the Belgian file and the international procedure, up to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne.
What we do in triathlon
These are the files that reach our desk most often.
Selection and qualification
A place at a World Championship in the elite field or in an age group depends on points, on rankings and on the criteria of the federation. We test those criteria against the rules, we compare how they were applied to the other candidates and we run the appeal against a non-selection.
Doping and whereabouts
A missed test, an error in the whereabouts data or an adverse analytical finding leads to a file before NADO Vlaanderen or ONAD, under the WADA rules. We examine the analysis, the notification and the deadlines, and we present the defence before the disciplinary body.
Safety in open water
The swim is the most dangerous part of the race. We advise organisers on the water temperature, the number of lifeguards, the course and the decision to cancel. We also assist athletes and families after an accident.
Organising a race
A triathlon uses the public road, open water and a transition area. That calls for permits, a police authorisation, insurance and arrangements with the municipality. We also draft the contracts with suppliers, with the timing provider and with the sponsors.
Penalties during the race
Drafting, a mistake in the transition area, a race number worn wrongly or outside assistance leads to a time penalty or a disqualification. We lodge the protest with the race jury and run the appeal within the deadline set by the rules.
Contracts, sponsorship and prize money
We negotiate sponsorship contracts, equipment agreements and coaching contracts. We also look at the tax side of prize money and of appearance fees earned abroad, and at the consequences of a double status with an ordinary job.
How a triathlon lawyer in Belgium runs your file
Who decides
A protest during the race goes to the race jury. The competent body of Triatlon Vlaanderen, of the LFTri or of the national federation decides next. Internationally World Triathlon decides. A dispute about damage goes to the ordinary court, and a last appeal to the CAS.
The deadlines
The deadlines are short. A protest during the race must often be lodged within a few minutes of the announcement of the results. A disciplinary file or a selection decision follows the term in the rules of the federation, sometimes a few days. An appeal to the CAS normally runs for twenty-one days.
What you do first
Collect the competition rules, the results, the report of the official, your training and race data and the correspondence with the federation. Note the date of every notification. Contact us before the deadline expires.
Related sports
Combat sports ↗
A combat sports lawyer in Belgium for judo, karate, boxing, MMA
Badminton ↗
A badminton lawyer in Belgium for players, clubs and federations: tournament entry
Winter sports ↗
A winter sports lawyer in Belgium for skiers and snowboarders: Olympic selection
Tennis ↗
A tennis lawyer in Belgium for players, coaches and organisers: contracts, prize
Padel ↗
A padel lawyer in Belgium for clubs, padel centres and players: building
Table tennis ↗
A table tennis lawyer in Belgium for players and clubs: club
Legal domains in this sport
Doping ↗
Notified of an anti-doping rule violation? Our doping lawyer in Belgium acts
Disciplinary law ↗
A sports disciplinary lawyer in Belgium for athletes, clubs, coaches and referees
Employment & social law ↗
A sports employment lawyer in Belgium for player contracts, the 1978 Act
Liability law ↗
A sports liability lawyer in Belgium for sports accidents, personal injury, insurance
Corporate law ↗
A sports corporate lawyer in Belgium for clubs and federations: articles
Criminal law ↗
A sports criminal lawyer in Belgium for match-fixing, bribery, money laundering, violence