Ethics, Integrity and Safeguarding

Safeguarding covers policies and actions that keep participants safe from harm.

Source: Mountjoy et al., Br J Sports Med 2016 (IOC consensus on harassment and abuse) · recall

The 2016 IOC statement set out these categories, often occurring together.

Source: Mountjoy et al., Br J Sports Med 2016 (IOC consensus on harassment and abuse) · recall

Power differences between coaches and athletes create conditions for abuse.

Source: Mountjoy et al., Br J Sports Med 2016 (IOC consensus on harassment and abuse) · recall

Emotional or psychological abuse, such as belittling, is often reported as most frequent.

Source: Mountjoy et al., Br J Sports Med 2016 (IOC consensus on harassment and abuse) · recall

A named officer ensures concerns are handled and policies followed.

Source: Mountjoy et al., Br J Sports Med 2016 (IOC consensus on harassment and abuse) · recall

Coaches should not investigate themselves but pass concerns to designated people or authorities.

Source: Mountjoy et al., Br J Sports Med 2016 (IOC consensus on harassment and abuse) · applied

Power imbalances and dependency can affect adults as well as children.

Source: Mountjoy et al., Br J Sports Med 2016 (IOC consensus on harassment and abuse) · recall

Examples include ignoring injury, unsafe conditions or inadequate supervision.

Source: Mountjoy et al., Br J Sports Med 2016 (IOC consensus on harassment and abuse) · recall

The IOC toolkit guides federations in building safeguarding policies.

Source: Mountjoy et al., Br J Sports Med 2016 (IOC consensus on harassment and abuse) · recall

Repeated humiliation and belittling are forms of psychological abuse.

Source: Mountjoy et al., Br J Sports Med 2016 (IOC consensus on harassment and abuse) · applied

Criminal record and suitability checks are standard safeguards.

Source: U.S. Center for SafeSport, SafeSport Code (uscenterforsafesport.org) · recall

Having another adult present or within sight reduces opportunities for abuse.

Source: U.S. Center for SafeSport, SafeSport Code (uscenterforsafesport.org) · recall

The Center for SafeSport investigates sexual and other misconduct in Olympic and Paralympic sport.

Source: U.S. Center for SafeSport, SafeSport Code (uscenterforsafesport.org) · recall

Group messages or copying in a parent keep communication transparent.

Source: U.S. Center for SafeSport, SafeSport Code (uscenterforsafesport.org) · recall

Grooming is a gradual process of manipulation to prepare a child for abuse.

Source: U.S. Center for SafeSport, SafeSport Code (uscenterforsafesport.org) · recall

Favouritism, gifts and requests for secrecy are classic red flags.

Source: U.S. Center for SafeSport, SafeSport Code (uscenterforsafesport.org) · recall

Parental consent and care over identifying details protect children online.

Source: U.S. Center for SafeSport, SafeSport Code (uscenterforsafesport.org) · recall

Policies cover supervision, rooming and transport to keep children safe.

Source: U.S. Center for SafeSport, SafeSport Code (uscenterforsafesport.org) · recall

Reporting a concern allows trained staff to judge it; waiting for certainty can leave a child at risk.

Source: U.S. Center for SafeSport, SafeSport Code (uscenterforsafesport.org) · recall

Coaches must be honest that safety concerns will be passed on.

Source: U.S. Center for SafeSport, SafeSport Code (uscenterforsafesport.org) · applied

Codes describe expected behaviour and provide a basis for complaints.

Source: World Triathlon Code of Ethics · recall

Respect, integrity, competence and responsibility are common themes.

Source: World Triathlon Code of Ethics · recall

Coaches should refer on when an issue goes beyond their training.

Source: World Triathlon Code of Ethics · recall

Integrity involves honesty, fairness and keeping commitments.

Source: World Triathlon Code of Ethics · recall

Coaches' authority makes genuine consent doubtful and exploitation possible.

Source: Mountjoy et al., Br J Sports Med 2016 (IOC consensus on harassment and abuse) · recall

Owning errors builds trust and models good behaviour.

Source: World Triathlon Code of Ethics · recall

Consistent, fair treatment supports team cohesion and wellbeing.

Source: World Triathlon Code of Ethics · recall

Federations can warn, suspend or remove coaching licences.

Source: World Triathlon Code of Ethics · recall

Coaches' actions shape squad culture more than rules on paper.

Source: Lyle, Sports Coaching Concepts (2002) · recall

Codes expect respect towards opponents, officials and other clubs.

Source: World Triathlon Code of Ethics · applied

Prevalence was higher in athletes, especially in leanness-focused sports.

Source: Sundgot-Borgen & Torstveit, Clin J Sport Med 2004 · recall

A focus on low body weight for speed creates pressure to restrict eating.

Source: Sundgot-Borgen & Torstveit, Clin J Sport Med 2004 · recall

Remarks on body shape are a known trigger for disordered eating.

Source: Mountjoy et al., Br J Sports Med 2016 (IOC consensus on harassment and abuse) · recall

Emphasising energy availability and wellbeing reduces risk.

Source: Sundgot-Borgen & Torstveit, Clin J Sport Med 2004 · recall

Secrecy, rigid rules and anxiety around food are common signs.

Source: Sundgot-Borgen & Torstveit, Clin J Sport Med 2004 · recall

Specialist medical, dietetic and psychological support is needed.

Source: Sundgot-Borgen & Torstveit, Clin J Sport Med 2004 · applied

Public weighing increases body-image pressure.

Source: Mountjoy et al., Br J Sports Med 2016 (IOC consensus on harassment and abuse) · recall

Men are affected too and may be underdiagnosed.

Source: Sundgot-Borgen & Torstveit, Clin J Sport Med 2004 · recall

A multidisciplinary team addresses physical and mental aspects together.

Source: Sundgot-Borgen & Torstveit, Clin J Sport Med 2004 · recall

Praising weight loss can encourage disordered eating that later harms health and performance.

Source: Sundgot-Borgen & Torstveit, Clin J Sport Med 2004 · applied

Taking shelter illegally takes an advantage competitors following the rules do not have.

Source: World Triathlon Code of Ethics · recall

Skipping parts of the course is cheating and leads to disqualification.

Source: World Triathlon Code of Ethics · recall

Missing timing splits flag possible course cutting.

Source: World Triathlon Code of Ethics · recall

Bib transfers without permission undermine results and safety records.

Source: World Triathlon Code of Ethics · recall

Tactics that stay technically legal but undermine fair play.

Source: Lyle, Sports Coaching Concepts (2002) · recall

Age-group awards and qualification slots depend on honest categories.

Source: World Triathlon Code of Ethics · recall

Officials handle rule breaches; retaliation risks penalties and safety.

Source: World Triathlon Code of Ethics · applied

Values like fair play, respect and health underpin sport, including anti-doping.

Source: World Anti-Doping Code (2021) · recall

Accepting decisions respectfully models integrity.

Source: World Triathlon Code of Ethics · recall

Honesty requires reporting the error, even if unintentional.

Source: World Triathlon Code of Ethics · applied

Concealed motors give assistance and are treated as technological fraud.

Source: UCI Regulations, technological fraud (uci.org) · recall

A motor was found in a bike at the 2016 cyclo-cross world championships.

Source: UCI Regulations, technological fraud (uci.org) · recall

The rider received a six-year ban.

Source: UCI Regulations, technological fraud (uci.org) · recall

Tablets that detect magnetic fields and imaging are used at races.

Source: UCI Regulations, technological fraud (uci.org) · recall

Road shoes are limited to a 40 mm stack, with further conditions on availability.

Source: World Athletics, Athletic Shoe Regulations (2020) · recall

Rules aim to keep competition fair and centred on human performance.

Source: World Athletics, Athletic Shoe Regulations (2020) · recall

Availability rules stop prototypes giving a secret advantage to a few.

Source: World Athletics, Athletic Shoe Regulations (2020) · recall

The term covers equipment that breaches or bends technology rules.

Source: UCI Regulations, technological fraud (uci.org) · recall

Rules restrict devices that distract or allow coaching during races.

Source: World Triathlon Code of Ethics · recall

Knowingly using illegal equipment breaches rules and integrity.

Source: World Triathlon Code of Ethics · applied

Conflicts arise when personal gain could influence professional judgement.

Source: Lyle, Sports Coaching Concepts (2002) · recall

Transparency lets athletes judge advice fairly.

Source: World Triathlon Code of Ethics · recall

Declaring and managing conflicts protects trust in selection.

Source: World Triathlon Code of Ethics · recall

Documenting and excluding the conflicted person is standard practice.

Source: World Triathlon Code of Ethics · recall

It is possible if both know and the coach treats them fairly.

Source: Lyle, Sports Coaching Concepts (2002) · recall

Roles that overlap create risks of bias or perceived bias.

Source: Lyle, Sports Coaching Concepts (2002) · recall

Even without actual bias, the appearance of it damages trust.

Source: World Triathlon Code of Ethics · recall

Undisclosed inducements compromise professional duty.

Source: World Triathlon Code of Ethics · applied

Loans or business ventures with athletes create conflicts and pressure.

Source: Lyle, Sports Coaching Concepts (2002) · recall

Stepping aside keeps the process fair.

Source: World Triathlon Code of Ethics · applied

The statement called for better recognition and management of mental health symptoms.

Source: Reardon et al., Br J Sports Med 2019 (IOC consensus on mental health) · recall

Coaches are not clinicians but play a key role in spotting concerns and referring.

Source: Reardon et al., Br J Sports Med 2019 (IOC consensus on mental health) · recall

Changes in mood, sleep, behaviour and engagement are warning signs.

Source: Reardon et al., Br J Sports Med 2019 (IOC consensus on mental health) · recall

Injury can trigger low mood and anxiety, especially for athletes with strong sport identity.

Source: Reardon et al., Br J Sports Med 2019 (IOC consensus on mental health) · recall

Transition out of sport can bring loss and adjustment difficulties.

Source: Reardon et al., Br J Sports Med 2019 (IOC consensus on mental health) · recall

Any mention of self-harm warrants an immediate referral or emergency support.

Source: Reardon et al., Br J Sports Med 2019 (IOC consensus on mental health) · applied

Planning sessions and races with heat and health risks in mind is part of duty of care.

Source: Lyle, Sports Coaching Concepts (2002) · recall

Coaches are often first on the scene when an athlete is hurt.

Source: Lyle, Sports Coaching Concepts (2002) · recall

Athletes may hide symptoms to avoid appearing weak.

Source: Reardon et al., Br J Sports Med 2019 (IOC consensus on mental health) · recall

A supportive conversation and referral are appropriate.

Source: Reardon et al., Br J Sports Med 2019 (IOC consensus on mental health) · applied

Consequentialist thinking weighs the results of choices for everyone affected.

Source: Lyle, Sports Coaching Concepts (2002) · recall

Duty-based thinking holds some actions right or wrong in themselves.

Source: Lyle, Sports Coaching Concepts (2002) · recall

Virtue ethics focuses on character traits such as honesty and fairness.

Source: Lyle, Sports Coaching Concepts (2002) · recall

Real situations often pit legitimate aims against each other.

Source: Lyle, Sports Coaching Concepts (2002) · recall

Whistleblowers report misconduct such as doping or abuse.

Source: World Anti-Doping Code (2021) · recall

Protection encourages reporting of wrongdoing.

Source: World Anti-Doping Code (2021) · recall

Clarifying facts and interests makes a sound decision more likely.

Source: Lyle, Sports Coaching Concepts (2002) · recall

Talking it through tests reasoning and exposes assumptions.

Source: Lyle, Sports Coaching Concepts (2002) · recall

Welfare and medical guidance should take priority over a single race.

Source: Lyle, Sports Coaching Concepts (2002) · applied

Safeguarding duties apply regardless of an athlete's importance.

Source: Mountjoy et al., Br J Sports Med 2016 (IOC consensus on harassment and abuse) · applied

GDPR sets rules on collecting, storing and sharing personal data in the EU.

Source: Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR) · recall

Health information is a special category under data protection law.

Source: Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR) · recall

Athletes should agree to how their data is used and shared.

Source: Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR) · recall

Consent is valid only if people understand and agree freely.

Source: Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR) · recall

Secure storage prevents leaks of personal and health information.

Source: Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR) · recall

Data subjects have rights to access their personal data.

Source: Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR) · recall

Public routes and times can expose where athletes live and train.

Source: Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR) · recall

Breaching confidence damages trust and may breach the law.

Source: Lyle, Sports Coaching Concepts (2002) · recall

Data minimisation limits retention to what is necessary.

Source: Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR) · recall

Injury details are private health information.

Source: Lyle, Sports Coaching Concepts (2002) · applied