WOA backs call for an International Sport Integrity Partnership

14 | 5 | 2016

The World Olympians Association (WOA) welcomes the decision of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to establish an International Sport Integrity Partnership and supports any action which protects athletes and the rights of people everywhere to enjoy the positive social benefits of sport free from corruption.

The International Sport Integrity Partnership will bring together members of the Olympic Movement and wider sporting family to enhance transparency and encourage a global culture of good governance. It was announced at the conclusion of an anti-corruption summit hosted by UK Prime Minister David Cameron in London this week.

As the member organisation for Olympians worldwide, the WOA has a responsibility to ensure Olympians are given a voice and hopes that athletes both past and present will be at the heart of discussions into the formation of the new body, which is due to be launched by the IOC at a meeting of the International Forum for Sport Integrity in Lausanne in early 2017.

WOA President Joël Bouzou said:

“We applaud the actions of the IOC and the leadership it has shown in its decision to establish an International Sport Integrity Partnership. It is vital that the global sporting community fights for integrity in sport and organisations are encouraged to achieve the highest standards of governance and anti-corruption practices.

“In order to safeguard the autonomy of sport and spread the spirit of Olympism upon which the Olympic Movement was founded, corrupt practices must be stamped out. Organisations have a responsibility to ensure they are governed fairly and ethically so that athletes may have the opportunity to compete on a level playing field and the rights of clean athletes are protected.”

“Sport’s traditional values of fair play, respect, solidarity and team work enrich our communities and our cultures and guide us in our daily life. By standing up to corruption now we are giving sport its best possible chance to flourish and make a positive difference in this world in the future.”