Intelligence and investigations
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 27: The Olympic Cauldron is lit as fireworks go of during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
To effectively protect integrity in sport, the IOC has developed sound processes for reporting, monitoring and investigating any occurrences of competition manipulation in sport and breaches of relevant sporting regulations, notably the Olympic Movement Code on the Prevention of the Manipulation of Competition (OM Code PMC).
These processes serve not only to protect the Olympic Games and Youth Olympic Games, but other major sporting events organised by sports organisations within the Olympic Movement constituents, such as the National Olympic Committees (NOCs), International Sports Federations (IFs), and multi-sport event organisers such as continental NOC associations.
Integrity Betting Intelligence System (IBIS)
Since the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, sports betting on all Olympic competitions has been monitored. Any irregular betting patterns reported are analysed, with the support of a wide range of sports betting stakeholders within the Integrity Betting Intelligence System (IBIS) network, and national and international police forces, including INTERPOL. Should an irregular pattern be detected, or serious suspicion is raised, a disciplinary commission can be set up by the IOC President in accordance with the procedure laid down in the IOC Code of Ethics.
To effectively facilitate the joint efforts of all stakeholders involved in the fight against competition manipulation, the IOC created the IBIS in January 2014.
The objectives of the IBIS are:
- to support International Sports Federations (IFs) and organisers of multi-sports events, including the Olympic and continental Games, in the fight against competition manipulation by facilitating the exchange of information and intelligence through a centralised mechanism;
- to strengthen collaborative relationships with a wide range of sports betting stakeholders for joint efforts to protect sport’s integrity and to become an effective enabler connecting relevant sports integrity stakeholders between sports and sports betting entities;
- to create a framework of transparency, confidentiality and trust amongst all stakeholders; and
- to better support them with robust intelligence in relation to competition manipulation.
What does the IBIS do?
The IBIS collects and disseminates information and intelligence related to suspicious sports betting activity on sporting evets within the Olympic Movement for use by all of its stakeholders.
As an IT platform, the IBIS facilitates communication between all partners within the Olympic Movement and sports betting stakeholders through their designated Single Points of Contact (SPOC) and the exchange of information concerning investigations regarding competition manipulation.
For a more detailed overview of the IBIS, click here.
Olympic Games Joint Integrity Intelligence Units
During the Games, the IOC collaborates closely with the Organising Committee, national authorities and police forces, and INTERPOL in order to prevent, monitor, assess and react quickly and effectively to any unethical activity related to the Olympic Games. This work takes shape by the set-up of Joint Integrity Intelligence Units.
London 2012: The IOC collaborated with the London 2012 Organising Committee and the public authorities to establish a Unit to monitor and assess the prevalence of match-fixing at the Games and act in case of a suspicion. The post-Olympic report stated: “London 2012 was the first Games where threats from corrupt sports betting were elevated to a level of focus that doping has attracted.”
Read the report "Working together to protect the Integrity of Sport: the Role of the Joint Assessment Unit at the London 2012 Olympic Games"
Rio 2016: During the Olympic Games Rio 2016, a Joint Integrity Intelligence Unit (JIIU) was created in collaboration between the IOC, the Rio 2016 Organising Committee, Brazilian law enforcement and INTERPOL. Learn more here.
PyeongChang 2018*:* A JIIU was in place for the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018 to ensure that information was exchanged between all key entities involved (the IOC, the Organising Committee, national authorities and INTERPOL). This Unit assessed and determined the appropriate measures if a risk or threat was identified. Intelligence, in general, would lead to disciplinary sanctions by the IOC or criminal prosecution by the police.
A JIIU was also created for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 (2021) and Beijing 2022, whilst a comprehensive risk-assessment was carried out in advance of the Games and shared with the IFs to inform them of the risks of potential competition manipulation. The members of the IBIS network and the monitoring partners supported the monitoring process.
Similar arrangements are in place for Paris 2024. Beyond the operations of the JIIU, the national gambling regulatory authority is also providing support, particularly with the monitoring of national betting patterns. Members of the IBIS network and monitoring partners will also cooperate with the OM Unit PMC once again in its 24/7 monitoring of the Olympic competitions.
Reporting – Integrity Hotline
Any information related to competition manipulation, including breaches of the OM Code PMC can and should be reported to the IOC Integrity Hotline, which ensures confidentiality and encourages safe reporting.
IOC-UNODC Reporting Mechanisms in Sport: A Practical Guide for Development and Implementation
Available in English, French, Spanish**,** [Arabic](https://stillmed.olympics.com/media/Document%20Library/OlympicOrg/IOC/What-We-Do/Protecting-Clean-Athletes/Competition-manipulation/IOC-UNODC-%20Reporting-Mechanisms-in-Sport-ebook-ARABIC.pdf) and [Russian](https://stillmed.olympics.com/media/Document%20Library/OlympicOrg/IOC/What-We-Do/Protecting-Clean-Athletes/Competition-manipulation/IOC-UNODC-%20Reporting-Mechanisms-in-Sport-ebook-RUSSIAN.pdf)).
Committing to integrity in sport requires frameworks for reporting, identifying and resolving issues of wrongdoing in sport. The establishment of reporting mechanisms by all sports organisations is a fundamental provision of the Olympic Movement Code on the Prevention of the Manipulation of Competitions, the Council of Europe Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions and the World Anti-Doping Code. This Guide provides information on good practices for sports organisations with regard to receiving and handling reports of wrongdoing, including competition manipulation, harassment, doping and corruption.
Effective reporting mechanisms can build a culture of trust, transparency and professionalism, whilst ineffective mechanisms can lead to a culture of fear and secrecy and escalating criminality. At the same time, effective reporting mechanisms rely on a positive organisational culture, embodied by the supporting principles of commitment, trustworthiness and impartiality.