Olympians are part of a special community within the Olympic Family, giving them the unique opportunity to harness the power of sport to educate and inspire. Together, they embody the essential Olympic Values of friendship, excellence and respect and should aspire to act on these values in all that they do.
To preserve these values, though, Olympians must fiercely protect the integrity and fairness of sport and have the courage and conviction needed to raise concerns about cheating and abuse - no matter what form it takes.
That is why World Olympians Association (WOA) is working in partnership with the IOC Athletes’ Commission, International Federations, National Olympic Committees, National Olympians Associations and Athletes’ Commissions around the world to empower more Olympians to speak out to protect athletes and safeguard the integrity of global sport.
WOA’s mission is to be of service to Olympians, representing their interests and providing a platform whereby they can act as a force for good in society. Olympians, particularly those whose sport career has come to a close, maintain a position of independence. This independence can be particularly advantageous when it comes to eradicating cheating and abuse in sport. By supporting those who may not be in a position to speak up, Olympians can use their voice to help shine a light on instances where abuses of power, injustice and cheating may have occurred.
Working collectively and in harmony with athlete leaders and representative bodies everywhere, WOA is pleased to highlight some of the existing tools available that Olympians can use to ensure that integrity in sport is held to the highest standard.
Firstly, Olympians, athletes, coaches, referees and the public can call the IOC’s Integrity and Compliance hotline to report any potential violation of the IOC Code of Ethics, including cheating it all its forms and abuse of athletes or positions of power. Reports can be made anonymously, and all information received is dealt with confidentially. Access the Hotline HERE.
Similarly, the World Anti-Doping Association’s Speak Up service, encourages Olympians and all members of the public to report any Anti-Doping Rule Violation, any alleged World Anti-Doping Code non-compliance violation, or any act or omission that could undermine the fight against doping. A report can be filed by anyone confidentially, securely and anonymously. Access Speak Up HERE.
WOA is proud to work alongside our colleagues in the Olympic Movement to help ensure the safeguarding and security of all athletes and work towards a fairer world of sport for all. We continue to support the important advances being made by the International Olympic Committee, the IOC Athletes’ Commission, WADA and all stakeholders to protect the values of Olympism which we all hold dear.
With best Olympian regards,
Joël Bouzou OLY
Recent Articles
Sinner-Alcaraz, the duel that came to succeed the three phenomenons
Beyond the final result, Roland Garros left the feeling that the Italian and the Spaniard will shape the great duel that came to help us through the duel for the end of the Federer-Nadal-Djokovic era.
Table tennis: Brazil’s Bruna Costa Alexandre will be Olympic and Paralympic in Paris 2024
She is the third in her sport and the seventh athlete to achieve it in the same edition; in Santiago 2023 she was the first athlete with disabilities to compete at the Pan American level and won a medal.
Rugby 7s: the best player of 2023 would only play the medal match in Paris
Argentinian Rodrigo Isgró received a five-game suspension for an indiscipline in the circuit’s decisive clash that would exclude him until the final or the bronze match; the Federation will seek to make the appeal successful.
Rhonex Kipruto, owner of the world record for the 10000 meters on the road, was suspended for six years
The Kenyan received the maximum sanction for irregularities in his biological passport and the Court considered that he was part of a system of “deliberate and sophisticated doping” to improve his performance. He will lose his record and the bronze medal at the Doha World Cup.
Katie Ledecky spoke about doping Chinese swimmers: “It’s difficult to go to Paris knowing that we’re going to compete with some of these athletes”
The American, a seven-time Olympic champion, referred to the case of the 23 positive controls before the Tokyo Games that were announced a few weeks ago and shook the swimming world. “I think our faith in some of the systems is at an all-time low,” he said.
