Spartan and World Obstacle, the Fédération Internationale de Sports d’Obstacles (FISO), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding and established a cooperation framework to develop the sport of obstacle racing worldwide.

The collaboration includes the sanctioning and hosting of elite-level races, cooperation on competition rules, officiating and training, anti-doping rules, and broadcast planning to assist with the growth of events for the benefit of the global obstacle racing community.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was developed over a period of months by both parties, citing key priorities and steps to ensure the growth and harmonization of obstacle sports. The agreement focuses on SafeSport functions, gender representation, athletic diversity, anti-doping efforts, international events, national federation relations, sanctioning, collaborative marketing, and sponsorship and media initiatives to grow obstacle sports at every level.

The brand-sport alignment also provides an enhanced pathway for elite athletes to national team representation, international championships, and multi-sport Games recognized by the International Olympic Committee.

“Obstacle racing has come a long way in the 10-plus years we’ve been promoting the sport,” said Spartan founder and CEO Joe De Sena. “Now, the best thing to help obstacle sports grow at all levels is to work together with the International Federation and its members around the world. This is literally the evolution of a sport right before our eyes.”

An Initiative 8 Years in the Making

“This initiative has been in discussion since 2014, when Joe [De Sena] first proposed taking the sport to the Olympics” said World Obstacle President Ian Adamson. “The collaboration advances our goals of providing sport for all and meeting the intent of the International Olympic Committee’s Agenda 2020+5 and the Olympic movement.”

Spartan and World Obstacle are committed to establishing the highest level of ethics and transparency through better governance, world-class events, and representation for all athletes. The MOU outlines guidelines to further a culture of sustainability and social responsibility in events and in the OCR community. The higher goal is to contribute to the greater good of humanity by inspiring 100 million people to get fit and healthy through participation in obstacle sports. This is to be achieved without discrimination or bias of any kind, and with a vision tofacilitate mutual understanding, collaboration, friendship, and fairness between the athletes and all parties of interest.

“World Obstacle is excited to collaborate with Spartan,” said Adamson. “We believe we are stronger together, and in the spirit of obstacle course racing, working with Spartan demonstrates our commitment to elevating the sport for the benefit of athletes worldwide.”

World Obstacle: What Is It, and What Is Its Mission?

World Obstacle, the Fédération Internationale de Sports d’Obstacles (FISO), is a Swiss-based not-for-profit independent international sports organization made up of volunteers. Their mission is to develop obstacle sports and events worldwide. FISO provides governance, systems, and structure to represent the needs of its member national federations and their athlete communities in
over 100 countries. FISO was granted Observer Status of GAISF (the Global Association of International Sports Federations) in 2021, a critical step toward a sport’s potential Olympic recognition.