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ResearchersThis study has contributed to a better understanding of the discriminatorybarriers that prevent access to sport. It looked at discrimination based on race,religion, ethnicity, nationality and gender in 11 European countries and revealeddifferences between geographical regions, between different types of sport,and between organised and non-organised sport.1Close remainingresearch gapsThe study was necessarily structured aroundobvious research gaps. Some of these wereknown at the start and informed the initialfocus of the study, while others only becameapparent during the research process. Moreresearch is necessary in order to close thesegaps and provide information on breakingdown discriminatory barriers in sport. Fourmajor research gaps are outlined here, alongwith some hypothetical research titles:• The study focused on racism and genderbaseddiscrimination. Other forms of discriminationwere more peripheral. Expertsoften highlighted economic factors as amajor barrier, especially in eastern Europe.Discrimination against disabled peoplealso seems to be a key issue in easternEurope. Is disability still a major barrierpreventing access to sport, and what goodpractices exist in order to deal with it?How influential are economic barriers asregards access to sport?• In the last couple of years, sports’ governingbodies and clubs have started to tacklethe problem of homophobia and adopt aclear stance on this issue. Nevertheless,there is still a lack of knowledge on how todeal with homophobia and implement thenecessary policies. What should be doneto protect and support players who decideto come out?• Increasing numbers of ethnically homogeneousclubs are being established, mainlyin urban areas. On the one hand, they act asan entry point, allowing access to sport, buton the other hand, they would seem to runcounter to integration policies. They can beseen as a symbol of separation and are notwelcomed by all governments. How shouldthe issue of ethnically homogeneous clubsbe approached in order to optimise theirpotential as regards societal integration?• We found a gender gap in the opinionsof boys and girls as regards the suitabilityof various sports for girls. Does a cleargender gap also exist for female-dominatedsports? Do the same stereotypes existamong girls, and are there any goodpractices that we can learn from in orderto deal with this issue?DISCRIMINATION IN SPORTKING BAUDOUIN FOUNDATION31