Photo by Charles Loh

To ensure a fair competition for all involved in athletics the International Olympic Committee (IOC) adopted in December 2015 the Olympic Movement Code on the Prevention of the Manipulation of Competitions to raise awareness, monitor, report and investigate any occurrences of Competition Manipulation in the sport.

WHAT IS COMPETITION MANIPULATION?

It is an attempt to control the outcome of a competition or alter the natural course of a sporting event, or part of it. Competition manipulation can be committed for sporting or financial gains, and sometimes via illegal betting or gambling activities.

Key issues related to competition manipulation include:

Betting on one’s sport - Betting on sport is not a negative pursuit. The problems occur only when athletes, their entourage or officials bet on their own sport or, in the worst case this betting leads to the manipulation of competitions. A betting prohibition means that accredited persons are not allowed to bet on their competitions, disciplines at the World Athletics Series Events or other competitions and disciplines at a multi-sports event such as the Olympic Games.

Sharing Inside Information - Inside information is all private information (tactics, injuries, etc.) to which athletes, officials and support personnel have access. This information must not be shared as it may be used for betting purposes.

Corrupt conduct / manipulation - Providing, requesting, receiving, seeking, or accepting a Benefit either to manipulate a Competition or any other form of corruption is prohibited.

Failure to cooperate - Failing to cooperate with any investigation carried out by a sports organisation in relation to possible misconduct, including, without limitation, failing to provide accurately, completely and without undue delay any information and/or documentation and/or access or assistance requested by a sports organisation as part an investigation. Obstructing or delaying any investigation concerning a possible violation, including without limitation concealing, tampering with or destroying any documentation or other information that may be relevant to the investigation is a serious violation.

Failure to report - Failing to report to a sports organisation concerned or a relevant disclosure/reporting mechanism or authority, at the first available opportunity, providing full details of any approaches or invitations received by the participant to engage in conduct or incidents could amount to a violation.