IOC, INTERPOL and UNODC show the way in placing integrity at the core of post-COVID-19 sport
A new paper, published jointly by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), INTERPOL and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), addresses the current health crisis and the action required by those involved in tackling corruption in sport and preventing the manipulation of competitions, in particular sports organisations and governments.
Placing integrity at the core of sport’s response to the global COVID-19 pandemic is crucial to ensure that sport emerges from this challenge as strong as possible and is ready to play its fundamental role in society.
The paper is about ensuring an aligned, proactive approach and taking preventative measures for the time when sport fully resumes. The temporary absence of sports events does not necessarily eliminate sports integrity issues, and the re-starting of competitions will require special vigilance. Safeguarding the integrity of sport in these challenging times and placing it at the core of the “new normal” is to invest in its future potential.
The document sets out a policy framework and specific recommendations, most of which are valid generally but have been adapted to the current situation.
It also recalls the tools and support mechanisms available to sports organisations and governments (primarily law enforcement and criminal justice authorities). It provides guidance on how to respond immediately (e.g. avoid decreasing the salaries of the most vulnerable and severely affected; conduct virtual awareness-raising sessions) as well as in the future (e.g. ensure regulations and legislation are in place).
Olympic Movement initiatives
On the sports side, the Olympic Movement Unit on the Prevention of the Manipulation of Competitions (OM Unit PMC) is tasked with coordinating, supporting, monitoring and promoting the fight against competition manipulation.
The IOC and UNODC have partnered to design various activities, including providing technical assistance to UN Member States in the prosecution of competition manipulation and delivering national and regional joint training sessions, in addition to the development of standard-setting guides and tools.
The IOC is also collaborating with INTERPOL, and the two organisations have developed the IOC-INTERPOL Global Capacity-Building and Training Programme, which delivers tailored workshops and webinars around the world to support National Olympic Committees, International and National Sports Federations, law enforcement agencies, government entities and betting regulators and operators in addressing competition manipulation and related corruption.
The IOC’s Integrity Hotline allows anyone to confidentially report suspicious behaviour, activities related to competition manipulation, infringements of the IOC Code of Ethics or other matters which fall under the IOC’s authority.
The IOC is also part of the International Partnership Against Corruption In Sport (IPACS), a multi-stakeholder platform composed of international sports organisations, governments, inter-governmental organisations and other relevant stakeholders, working towards eliminating corruption and promoting a culture of good governance in sport.
Learn more at www.olympic.org/integrity.