The role of law in sports science training and research: From the autonomy of the legal discipline to dialogue with the humanities and social sciences

This special issue of the journal STAPS follows the conference “Les enjeux des jeux” held in Montpellier in December 2022. Two sessions were devoted to sports law: law-making and training and research. They highlighted the growing interest of STAPS (Science and Technology of Physical and Sports Activities) departments in this field. The articles bring together critical analyses by legal scholars and sociologists of sports. They examine the place of law in teaching and research in sports science. This reflection takes place in a context of increasing juridification of sports. In STAPS, law is an essential professional skill but remains marginalized. Multidisciplinarity encourages an open, non-compartmentalized approach to law. Sports law is viewed as closely linked to social, economic, and political relations. This specificity fosters scientific dialogue and the development of interdisciplinary research.