Placing integrity at the core of post-COVID-19 sport
30 Nov 2020
Though most major sports events have had to be cancelled or postponed due to the ongoing, global health crisis, this has not done away with integrity issues in sport. Placing integrity at the core of sport’s response to the global COVID-19 pandemic is more important than ever to ensure that sport emerges from this challenge as strong as possible and is ready to play its fundamental role in society.
“Integrity must be at the heart of the ‘new normal’ for sport in order for it to tap into its full potential,” says Pâquerette Girard Zappelli, IOC Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer. “Therefore, we have teamed up with INTERPOL and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to address the current health crisis and the action required by those tackling corruption in sport and preventing the manipulation of competitions, in particular sports organisations and governments.”
New policy paper
The result is a new policy paper that sets out a policy framework and specific recommendations, most of which are valid generally but have been adapted to the current situation. The document aims to provide for an aligned, proactive approach and proposes preventative measures for the time when sport fully resumes. It gives guidance on how to respond immediately, as well as in the future.
It also recalls the tools and support mechanisms available to sports organisations and governments (primarily law enforcement and criminal justice authorities).
Click here to read the full paper.
“It is important to use the current time to reflect and prepare strategically for the re-starting of competitions, which will require greater vigilance,” reiterates Girard Zappelli. “At the IOC, we are continuing our strong efforts to protect clean athletes, notably with a view to Tokyo 2020. We recommend that all stakeholders, especially NOCs and IFs, do the same.”
In this newsletter, you will find many examples of how the IOC is working with a range of stakeholders to form synergies and maximise the impact of its activities.
Happy reading!
