IOC Ethics Commission issues guidelines for presidential race

The Ethics Commission of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) issued guidelines concerning the proper conduct of candidates for the presidency of the IOC following its meeting today in Lausanne. Drawing from the IOC Code of Ethics and Rules 20 and 25 of the Olympic Charter, the new guidelines outline what is expected from the candidates when they interact with other IOC members, third parties, the media, other candidates, and the IOC administration.

“Of course we trust the candidates, but we took it upon ourselves to issue guidelines so it is clear to each candidate what behavior falls inside and outside the lines of proper conduct,” commented Judge Keba Mbaye, chairman of the Ethics Commission.

As a consequence of any proven breach of the guidelines, the Ethics Commission will on its own authority publicly denounce the action or issue a warning to the candidate in question. Any interested party will be allowed to bring an alleged breach of the guidelines to the attention of the Ethics Commission.

The Commission developed the guidelines upon its own initiative during its meeting attended by Mr Robert Badinter, former president of the French Constitution Court; Mrs Charmaine Crooks, IOC member and a five-time Olympian; Mr Kurt Furgler, former president of Switzerland; Mr Chiharu Igaya, IOC member, silver medallist, and a corporate director; and Sir Ninian Stephen, former high court justice and governor general of Australia. The meeting was chaired by Judge Keba Mbaye, IOC vice president and former vice president of the International Court of Justice.

The text of the guidelines follows:

Directions concerning the election of the IOC President

--------------- The IOC Ethics Commission, In view of Rules 25 and 20, paragraphs 1.3 and 2.7, of the Olympic Charter, In view of the Code of Ethics, Considering that it is in the interest of the IOC and the candidates for the presidency of this institution that, during the campaign (for which each candidate chooses the ways and methods that he/she intends to use), respect for the “universal fundamental ethical principles”, one of the foundations of Olympism, should prevail; Considering that it is essential that, during this campaign, equality be observed between the candidates and an atmosphere of mutual respect prevail amongst them; Considering that, without calling into question the confidence that the candidates enjoy, the drafting and publication of directions derives from the need to ensure a degree of harmonisation in their conduct and to prevent any excesses which their supporters might in good faith be led to commit; Enacts: During the period preceding the elections and as from the date of notification of the present directions, the following Rules shall be applied. I – GENERAL CONDUCT OF CANDIDATES 1. – Each candidate has the right to promote his/her candidature, subject to respecting the provisions of the present directions. 2. - The promotion of a candidature shall be conducted with dignity and moderation. 3. – The conduct of the candidates shall comply with the provisions of the IOC Code of Ethics. 4. – If a candidate intends to give any information on his/her plans as a future IOC President, he/she shall present it in the form of a document marked “confidential”. II – RELATIONS WITH IOC MEMBERS 1. - Trips: Candidates shall limit the number of trips that they are called upon to make with a view to promoting their candidature in order to avoid excessive expenditure, a factor of inequality amongst the candidates. 2. - Meetings: No meeting or gathering of any kind may be held in the framework of promoting a candidature. 3. - Gifts: Candidates may in no case and under no pretext give presents or offer donations or gifts, or grant advantages of whatever nature . 4. - Promises: No candidate may enter into any promise or undertaking to be performed, whatever the timing of such performance, for the direct or indirect benefit of a member, a group of members, an organisation or a region. 5. - Visits: All visits by members to candidates on whatever pretext must be avoided. 6. – Declarations: As the voting is secret, members are prohibited, individually or collectively, from announcing in any form whatsoever their intention to vote or from any invitation to vote for a candidate. III – RELATIONS WITH THIRD PARTIES 1. - Instructions: Candidates may not accept mandatory instructions from any public or private, natural or legal person. 2. - Undertaking: Candidates may not enter into any form of undertaking with any natural or legal person likely to affect the freedom of decision or action of the future IOC President. 3. - Assistance: No direct or indirect assistance, be