Safeguarding Competitions from Manipulation and Protecting the Integrity of Sport
Fair play and integrity are core values of the Olympic Movement and of the Canadian Olympic Committee. The COC is committed to ensuring the integrity of sport and, in connection with risks related to competition manipulation, the COC has adopted the Olympic Movement Code on the Prevention of the Manipulation of Competitions (the “Olympic Movement Code”) and has integrated the principles of the Olympic Movement Code into the COC Code of Ethics.
The COC also works closely with trusted partners like the Olympic Movement Unit on the Prevention of the Manipulation of Competitions and Sport Integrity Canada to educate the sport community about the risks associated with such activities and to address any potential cases of competition manipulation in Canada including at all multi-sport Games under the COC’s jurisdiction.
What is competition manipulation?
Competition manipulation is an intentional arrangement, act or omission aimed at improperly influencing the result or course of a sports competition to remove all or part of the unpredictable nature of the competition with a view to secure a benefit (usually a financial or sporting benefit) for oneself or for others. It can also happen when sports participants bet on their own sport or when they share or use inside information for the purpose of betting on sport.
Competition Manipulation is strictly prohibited under the COC Code of Ethics. The COC Code of Ethics applies to all COC Participants, which includes but is not limited to all participants in multi-sport Games under the COC jurisdiction, COC employees, contractors, volunteers, board members and committee members.
What you need to know?
COC Participants must abide with the rules contained in the Olympic Movement Code and the COC Code of Ethics.
The rules on competition manipulation can be summarized as follows*:
- Never bet on your own sport (regardless of the level of competition), your own competitions, or any competition presented as part of a multi-sport Games in which you are a participant (i.e: Olympic Games, Panam Games, Youth Olympic Games, etc)
- Never manipulate a competition. Athletes must always compete honestly and to the best of their ability.
- Never share inside information. Non-public or confidential information about the participant’s sport or competitions must stay private and cannot be shared with others.
- Report anything suspicious. Participants who are approached to manipulate a competition or notice unusual behaviour, must report it immediately to the IOC or Sport Integrity Canada.
COC Participants are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the complete set of rules which can be found in Section 3.4 of the COC Code of Ethics or Article 2 of the Olympic Movement Code.
Where to Report Competition Manipulation?
International Level
Reports of suspected, attempted or actual competition manipulation at the international level should be reported to the International Olympic Committee using the IOC Integrity and Compliance Reporting Hotline here: https://ioc.integrityline.org/
Each International Sport Federation might also have its own reporting mechanism, and participants should look at the applicable IF’s website to find the link to such reporting mechanism. If no such mechanism exists, participants can always report through the IOC Reporting Hotline.
National Level
Reports of Competition manipulation at the national level can be reported to Sport Integrity Canada (formerly known as the CCES). For more information on Sport Integrity Canada’s Reporting Mechanism, please visit this website: https://sportintegrity.ca/integrity.
Reports within the COC
COC Participants can also make a report to the COC directly to any member of the COC Senior Leadership Team or via the COC’s Whistleblowing Form, pursuant to the COC’s Whistleblowing Policy. Reports made to the COC may be handled directly by the COC, the National Sport Organization, Sport Integrity Canada or the IOC, as applicable.
Consequences
Violations of the COC Code of Ethics and Olympic Movement Code may lead to serious consequences, including disciplinary action and sanctions by the IOC, International Federation, COC and the Participant’s National Sport Organization.
Other Resources:
IOC website on the Prevention of Competition Manipulation
Sport Integrity Canada website on Competition Manipulation
Every COC participant and athlete plays a role in protecting the integrity of Team Canada and the Olympic Games.