Sports Competition Digital Credentials Use Cases

Regulated sports usually depend on authorized entities that manage identities and credentials autonomously but follow common patterns and rules. This document collects scenarios and use cases in the athletics ecosystem where the application of the paradigm of distributed digital credentials can be naturally applied. 

This document is in early definition. We appreciate contributions from other sports.

Terminology

This specification uses terms and a glossary already defined by other standardization activities, especially related to the [=verifiable credentials=] ecosystem [[VC-OVERVIEW]].

[=Credential=]

A set of one or more [=claims=] made by an [=issuer=], as defined in [[VC-DATA-MODEL-2.0]].

[=Holder=]

A role of an entity might be performed by possessing one or more [=verifiable credentials=] and generating [=verifiable presentations=]. Examples of [=holders=] in the sports scope are athletes, coaches, managers, runners, and fans. Holders store their [=credentials=] in [=credential repositories=] like wallets. Read a complete definition in [[VC-DATA-MODEL-2.0]].

[=Issuer=]

A role an entity can perform by asserting [=claims=], creating a [=verifiable credential=] from these [=claims=], and transmitting the [=verifiable credential=] to a [=holder=]. Read a complete definition in [[VC-DATA-MODEL-2.0]].

[=Presentation=]

Data derived from one or more [=verifiable credentials=] issued by one or more [=issuers=] that is shared with a specific [=verifier=], as defined in [[VC-DATA-MODEL-2.0]].

[=Credential repository=]

Software, like a personal wallet or other applications, that stores and protects access to [=holders=]' [=verifiable credentials=].

[=Selective disclosure=]

The ability of a [=holder=] to make fine-grained decisions about what information to share, as defined in [[VC-DATA-MODEL-2.0]].

[=Verification=]

The evaluation of whether a [=verifiable credential=] or [=verifiable presentation=] is authentic, including checking that the [=credential=] or [=presentation=] conforms to the document specification, the securing mechanism is satisfied, and, if present, the status check succeeds. Read a complete definition in [[VC-DATA-MODEL-2.0]].

[=Verifier=]

A role an entity performs by receiving one or more [=verifiable credentials=], optionally inside a verifiable presentation for processing, as defined in [[VC-DATA-MODEL-2.0]]..

[=Verifiable credential=]

A tamper-evident [=credential=] whose authorship can be cryptographically verified. [=Verifiable credentials=] can be used to build [=verifiable presentations=], as defined in [[VC-DATA-MODEL-2.0]]

[=Verifiable presentation=]

A tamper-evident presentation of information encoded in such a way that authorship of the data can be trusted after a process of cryptographic verification. Read a complete definition in [[VC-DATA-MODEL-2.0]].

Stakeholders

Athlete

Person that participates in a competition regulated by a [=sports federation=]. [=Athletes=] are subjects of [=credentials=] issued by federations (e.g., competition licenses and attestation of achievements).

Athlete's Manager

Person with rights to legally represent athletes in a specific sport.

Competition Management System

Software that automates the administration of athletic events, streamlining registration, scheduling, and results in competitions. [=Competition management systems=] are operated by trusted service providers, and they can act as [=verifiers=] (e.g., verification of credentials for event registrations) and [=issuers=] (e.g., issuance of attestation of results after a competition).

Occasional Runner

Person that ocasionally engages in running races and is not officially registered with a [=sports federation=] as an [=Athlete=].

Sports Federation

Non-governmental governing body that administers, rules, and promotes a given sport. [=Sports federations=] usually play the [=issuer=] role, providing sports users like [=athletes=], coaches, officials, and managers with [=credentials=] (e.g., licenses and attestation of achievements) for operation under the scope of the regulated sport. Federations may also play the [=verifier=] role as described in the use cases section.

Sports Integrity Unit

Trusted organization aiming to address ethical misconduct in the sport, including non-authorized doping usage. The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) is one example of a [=sports integrity unit=].

Sports Official

Relying person involved in competition management and regulated sports competitions, in charge of enforcing rules, ensuring safety, and guaranteeing fairness in sports. Examples of [=sports officials=] include referees, judges, and marshals. [=Sports Officials=] may operate [=competition management systems=] during events.

Credentials

In regulated sports, a [=credential=] might consist of information related to:

• identifying the subject of the [=credential=] (e.g., athlete's picture and name)
• issuing authority (e.g., [=sports federation=], service provider, medical service)
• type of document or claim (e.g., medical certificate, sports license, and competition permit)
• attributed asserted by the issuing authority about the subject (e.g., competitive category and anti-doping ban)
• evidences of subject's qualifications required for issuance of the credential (e.g., competition permit based on performances)
• constraints on the credential (e.g., validity period, scope of the license).

Common credentials that we can find in regulated sports are:

Athlete License

Official [=credential=] issued by a [=sports federation=] to an [=athlete=] granting eligibility to compete in restricted events while ensuring adherence to rules, safety, and ethical integrity codes.

Athlete Manager License

Official [=credential=] that validates expertise of in athlete representation in a specific sport.

Runner Card

Official document required by federations and event organizers to participate in competitive road running events in concrete contexts. It might serve as sports insurance for [=occasional runners=] and bring other benefits through external sponsorship, like discounts on services and products. Examples: FIDAL's (Italian Athletics Federation) Runcard, Spanish Carnet Corredor, and Swiss Running.

Integrity Competition Permit

Attestation by neutral integrity commissions that guarantees the competitor's adherence to the sport rules regarding transparency, ethics, and fair play.

Sports Medical Certificate

Document usually signed by a doctor certifying an [=Athlete=] has no contraindications to competitive sport. This attestation, also know as fit-to-run certificate, is often required for long-distance running races in France and Italy. Some events only require a simple positive self-declaration signed by the athletes themselves.

Competition Qualification Attestation

Official confirmation of an athlete meeting performance and integrity standards to advance in competitions (e.g., heats, semi-finals, and finals) or to participate in restricted competitions (e.g., membership of a national team).

Record Attestation

Formal ratification process that confirms sports performances meet regulation standards and so can be recognized as official, often requiring integrity acceptance, approved equipment, and qualified officials. These credentials are usually managed by sports federations.

Elite or High-Performance Condition Attestation

Confirmation of an athlete's high performance or elite status, indicating their high competitive level in sports. Conditions might vary across jurisdictions and sports, and these certificates may be used for grants or subsidies assignation. Examples of elite or high-performance condition could consider top positions in national rankings, regular participation in international competitions and Olympic/Paralympic Games participation.

Competition Result Attestation

Official confirmation of an athlete's performance during a competition. This result ratification may be associated with rewards and used by the athletes with third-party organizers to register in restricted events (e.g., minimum performance thresholds, starting lists ordered by performance).

Event Registration Attestation

Official confirmation of registration in a sports event. This certificate might ratify the registration of [=occasional runners=] in races, [=athletes=] in athletics tournaments, and third-parties as expectators.

Participation or Prize Voucher

Redeemable documents serving as proof of entitlement to awards or discounts often used in grassroots competitions to boost event participation and promote local sponsors. Swiss Runners Tickets are examples of participation vouchers.

Use Cases

This section collects typical scenarios and use cases where digital credentials may be applied to regulated sports. These cases are related to presentation of credentials in remote (online) and in proximity.

Presentation of Credentials in Remote (Online)

Athlete License Request

Holder

[=Athlete=]

Credentials (claims) Presented

• Official PID

Verifier

[=Sports Federation=]

Athlete Registration in Competition

Holder

[=Athlete=]

Credentials (claims) Presented

• [=Athlete License=]
• [=Sports Medical Certificate=]
• [=Integrity Competition Permit=]
• [=Competition Qualification Attestation=]
• [=Competition Result Attestation=]

Verifier

[=Competition Management System=]

Runner Registration in Competition

Holder

[=Occasional Runner=]

Credentials (claims) Presented

• [=Runner Card=]
• [=Sports Medical Certificate=]

Verifier

[=Competition Management System=]

Application of Sports Development Grant

Holder

[=Athlete=]

Credentials (claims) Presented

• [=Elite or High-Performance Condition Attestation=]
• [=Record Attestation=]
• Official PID

Verifier

Public Service

Discount Purchase with Participant Voucher

Holder

[=Occasional Runner=]

Credentials (claims) Presented

• [=Participation or Prize Voucher=]

Verifier

Sponsoring Merchant

Delegated Registration in Competition

Holder

[=Athlete's Manager=]

Credentials (claims) Presented

• [=Athlete Manager License=]

Verifier

[=Competition Management System=]

Presentation of Credentials in Proximity

Athlete's Check-in in Competition

Holder

[=Athlete=]

Credentials (claims) Presented

• [=Athlete License=]
• [=Event Registration Attestation=]
• [=Competition Qualification Attestation=]

Verifier

[=Competition Management System=]

Pick-Up of Runner's Bib Number

Holder

[=Occasional Runner=]

Credentials (claims) Presented

• [=Runner Card=]
• [=Event Registration Attestation=]

Verifier

[=Competition Management System=]

Competition Call Room

Holder

[=Athlete=]

Credentials (claims) Presented

• [=Athlete License=]
• [=Competition Qualification Attestation=]

Verifier

[=Competition Management System=]

A Call Room in athletics is a strict, mandatory process where officials verify an athlete's identity, dressing, and equipment compliance before a competition. Physically, the Call Room is a restricted area usually located between the warm-up area and the entry to the track, field, or start line of the competition. Athletes must identify themselves to the officials considering a tight schedule that varies depending on the discipline and type of event -it happens a few minutes before the competition.

In the Call Room process, judges check the identity of the athlete, the competition bibs (i.e., identifiers and placement), shoe and uniform compliance, and other aspects like advertising. It is a critical moment for the athletes because missing or failing the Call Room without a valid reason leads to exclusion from participating in the competition.

Time for fixing errors is too short. For instance, in outdoor events like road racing or cross-country, the Call Room closes ten minutes before the competition starts. Thus the strict process and short time before the start is a critical moment for the competitors. Currently, athletes are required to identify themselves to the officials through an official document (i.e., the [=athlete's license=], passport, or ID card). Right after the Call Room, an authorized team manager must collect the identification documents and give them back after the race, with the subsequent risk of losing or misplacing the documents.

Since the [=officials=] must confirm the participation of the athletes in the [=system=], this scenario is ideal for the presentation of digital credentials in proximity. For identification with minimum disclosure of information, judges with a smartphone or tablet may request the [=athlete's license=] validity, name, and picture. In some competitions, they could request additional attributes related to qualification and permits. Athletes may use their personal smartphones with a digital wallet to present the claims requested by the officials operating a [=competition management system=]. However, in the official competitions, subject to World Athletics Rules, smartphones are strictly not allowed in the Call Room procedure, so the best option is to store and present the credentials through the athlete's smartwatch. It is a device allowed in competitions and the only external digital accessory that athletes carry during a competition.