The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has adopted a Code of Ethics applicable
to all Olympic Parties including the IOC, NOCs, Olympic athletes, international federations, other IOC recognised organisations, Olympic cities, officials, and organising committees of Olympic events.
The code, which is updated on a regular basis, includes 20 articles and is divided in 8 sections: fundamental principles, integrity of conduct, integrity of competitions, good governance and resources, candidatures, confidentiality, reporting obligation and implementation.
Regarding the fundamental ethical principles, the code rejects “discriminations of any kind”, “all forms of harassment and abuse”, and ensures “the participants’ conditions of safety, well- being and medical care favourable to their physical and mental equilibrium.”
Regarding integrity of conduct, the code asserts that the “Olympic parties must refrain from any act involving fraud or corruption” and “from placing themselves in any conflict of interests”.
To oversee the compliance with this Code of Ethics, the IOC has established an independent Ethics Commission, which is made up of nine members of whom at least two are not directly lined with sport. This Commission is supported by the Ethics and Compliance Officer that is responsible for performing an initial compliance analysis in case of a (suspected) breach of the Code of Ethics and to refer the case to the Ethics Commission. The role and competence of the Ethics Commission and the Ethics and Compliance Officer including the “rules of procedure” are also included in the Code of Ethics.