IOC advocates sports integrity at UN Conference against Corruption
The work of the Olympic Movement with regard to sports integrity was highlighted by International Olympic Committee (IOC) Member Anita DeFrantz at the 10th session of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) in Atlanta, USA.
“Integrity is key for the credibility of sport, for the competitions and for the sports organisations themselves,” she said, addressing the participants of the “Safeguard sport from corruption” event, which took place on 11 December. DeFrantz highlighted the vital role of the International Partnership against Corruption in Sport (IPACS), of which the IOC is a founding partner; what sports organisations can do to tackle corruption in their environment; and what the governments’ responsibility is regarding corruption.
Integrity is key for the credibility of sport, for the competitions and for the sports organisations themselves.
DeFrantz said: “The aim of IPACS is to facilitate the dialogue between all the key stakeholders – governments, sports organisations and intergovernmental organisations – in order to propose pragmatic and practical solutions, such as tools focused on key risk areas, to mitigate corruption in sport. For this, the support of the governments is key, and we are grateful to those that have been providing their valuable support and cooperation through IPACS.”
Believe in Sport athlete ambassador Jacqueline Simoneau, an Olympian from Canada, also attended the meeting and underlined the important role of athletes in tackling competition manipulation, as well as the necessity of education and awareness-raising activities in this regard.
“Athletes have a significant role to play when it comes to the prevention of the manipulation of competitions,” Simoneau said. “They need to be aware of the issue, be able to recognise any suspicious approach, say no and report it! That's why the role of awareness-raising that the Olympic Movement Unit on the Prevention of the Manipulation of Competitions has been carrying out is of huge value."
Athletes have a significant role to play when it comes to the prevention of the manipulation of competitions. They need to be aware of the issue, be able to recognise any suspicious approach, say no and report it!
In addition, the IOC, INTERPOL and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) jointly released the “Guide on the Investigation of Cases of Competition Manipulation” at the event. This aims to strengthen the capacity of stakeholders to conduct effective and efficient investigations into allegations of competition manipulation. The guide will be distributed to the stakeholders of the Olympic Movement.
It can be used by a wider range of stakeholders, including all those who are working to safeguard the integrity of sports competitions. It offers a practical tool to support those tasked with conducting criminal or sports disciplinary investigations into suspected cases of competition manipulation. The guide includes practical cases and also good practices in relation to the coordination between disciplinary and law enforcement investigations.
The event in Atlanta, which runs from 11 to 15 December, addresses governments and sports organisations. The aims are to raise awareness around the different types of corruption risks in sport; share good practices on how to mitigate such risks; and discuss future initiatives.
Focus on Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028
With both the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 and the FIFA World Cup 2026 to be held in the USA, integrity in major sports events was also discussed in a side event. This included participants from the IOC, FIFA, the US authorities and National Olympic Committees (NOCs).
This year’s United Nations Conference against Corruption is being attended by over 1,500 officials and representatives, and marks the 20-year anniversary of the UNCAC. It also follows International Anti-Corruption Day, celebrated on 9 December.