The COB (Brazilian Olympic Committee) announced today the launch of a guide to prevent manipulation of competitions. The COB’s Competition Manipulation Prevention department developed the document and was led by Paulo Schmitt, a specialist in sports integrity.
Competition manipulation is a global problem
Thus, the guide aims to educate athletes, coaches and professionals involved in the Olympic Games about the risks and consequences of manipulating sports competitions. The topics covered in the guide are:
- Prevention strategies
- Identification of suspicious practices
- Reporting channels
The language used in the guide is as didactic as possible, always using practical examples. They clearly guide how everyone should act preventively. Furthermore, they disclose real situations that illustrate how athletes can identify manipulation attempts.
“We want to ensure that our athletes and the entire team are well informed and prepared to maintain the integrity of the competitions, preserving the Olympic spirit”, stated Paulo Wanderley, President of the COB.
The manipulation of competitions is unfortunately a reality and also a serious threat to sport. And these cases are not isolated. Recently, several large sporting events have highlighted the need for stricter preventative measures.
Punitive measures are necessary, but the entities also believe in continuous education for everyone involved.
COB is aligned with the International Olympic Committee
The COB initiative is aligned with the guidelines of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and other international organizations that promote the same campaigns and educational actions to combat the manipulation of competitions.
You can download the official COB guide HERE. Furthermore, the entity will physically distribute the guide to all Confederations and athletes after the Olympic Games.
Therefore, with this guide, the COB reinforces its commitment to transparency and ethics in sport. This is just another measure to make the Olympic Games a stage for fair competition for athletes and spectators from all over the world.
“We hope these guidelines will be an effective tool in raising awareness and preventing illicit practices, ensuring that sport continues to be a celebration of talent, effort and fair play,” said Schmitt.
