A closer look: the European Games
Over the last few months, the OM Unit PMC has supported organisers of several multi-sport events in two essential fields: first, conducting awareness-raising measures on the prevention of competition manipulation, often together with several Believe in Sport ambassadors; and second, monitoring all events via the IOC’s Integrity Betting Intelligence System (IBIS) and monitoring partners, thereby supporting with intelligence. In the event of any irregularity, the OM Unit PMC stands ready to assist with the pre-investigation.
Most recently, the Unit was on the ground and in action at the European Games, which took place from 21 June to 2 July in Krakow, Poland, and brought together 7,000 athletes from 48 countries. This was an ideal outreach opportunity, with these Games also serving as an Olympic qualifier in several sports. At a dedicated booth in the Athletes’ Village and as part of the Athlete365 activation, the Unit provided hands-on education about the threat of competition manipulation through a range of interactive games and activities.
The Unit’s Rida Ahmed said of her experience in Krakow: “Via this activation, we had the chance to reach out directly to more than 1,000 athletes and entourage members over the competition period. It was great to see the athletes engaging with us and understanding the relevant rules. Via our ongoing awareness-raising efforts, which will continue during the next continental events, we are confident that athletes and sport in general are more protected against this serious threat.”
Hortense Limouzin, a 3x3 basketballer from France, stated: “I hadn’t heard much about competition manipulation before and am glad I stopped by the booth. I will now try to pass on the message to my fellow athletes and team-mates."
Lana Grgic, Chef de Mission and integrity expert for the NOC of Bosnia and Herzegovina, also visited the booth during the European Games. She said: “It was very nice to see the OM Unit PMC team on site and speaking directly to the athletes and delegations at the main village of the Games. The athletes from our delegation highly appreciated the interactive activities offered at the booth and had the chance to better understand the phenomenon. Many thanks to the OM Unit PMC for their continuous commitment and support to our delegates.”
Prevention and working together with all key stakeholders are key in fighting competition manipulation efficiently. Several of the NOCs at the European Games had attended the NOC webinar in April and subsequently provided training for their delegations ahead of these Games. They also encouraged their athletes and officials to visit the booth in the Athletes’ Village to learn more.
In the coming months, the OM Unit PMC will provide similar assistance to the following multi-sport events, all of which will serve as Olympic qualifiers:
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the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, from 23 September to 8 October 2023;
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the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, from 20 October to 5 November 2023; and
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the Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands, from 19 November to 2 December 2023.
The next newsletter edition will feature experiences from the above-mentioned events.