Sport has always been part of the Greek culture and was one of the first aspects of cultural life to be protected in the Hellenic Constitution of 1974. Sport falls under the auspices of the government with regard to its organisation and operation. The government is responsible for the finance of sport and supervises it through the General Secretariat for Sport, which is a subdivision of the Ministry of Culture.
Only a year after the creation of the Hellenic Constitution, the legislature prioritized sport in the change to a new Greek society. These developments took place after the end of the military dictatorship, which lasted, from 1967 until 1974. The intention of the legislator was obvious, as it placed sport under the immediate protection of the State, creating for the latter a highly interventionist regime. Article 16(9) states: “Athletics shall fall under the protection and supervision of the State. The State shall make grants to and shall control all types of athletic associations, as specified by law. The use of grants in accordance with the purpose of the associations receiving them shall also be specified by law.”
The international success of Greek athletes during the 1980s and 1990s created a source of national pride and popularized sport, leading to higher levels of participation in recreational activity. However, while there was an increase in the international status of Greek sporting achievements, there has also been an increase in corruption, bribery and violence. This downside also affected dispute mechanisms in sport proving the latter to be ineffective and subject to delays and injustice. The inadequacy of sports governance led to demands for a radical reform of the Sport statute.
