1 THE PARTIES

1.1 The Applicant, the International Canoe Federation ("ICF"), is the worldwide governing body of Canoe sport and is recognised as such by the International Olympic Committee ("IOC").

1.2 The Respondent, Mr Jan Sterba, is an Athlete of Czech nationality, competing in Canoeing, as part of the K4 and K2 crews.

1.3 The Interested Parties are the Czech Olympic Committee ("COC") and the IOC.

1.4 The COC is the national Olympic Committee in the Czech Republic. As such, and pursuant to the Olympic Charter, Chapter 4, Rule 27.7.2, the COC has "the right to send competitors, team officials and other team personnel to the Olympic Games in compliance with the Olympic Charter".

1.5 The IOC is an international not-for-profit organisation, in the form of an association with the status of a legal entity, recognized by the Swiss Federal Council. The seat of the IOC is in Lausanne, Switzerland. The object of the IOC is to fulfil the mission, role and responsibilities as assigned to it by the Olympic Charter. One of the paramount roles of the IOC is "to ensure the regular celebration of the Olympic Games" (Art. 2(3) Olympic Charter).