The Ethics Commission is the guardian of the ethical principles of the Olympic Movement. These principles are set out in the Code of Ethics.
Guardian of the ethical principles
The Ethics Commission was created in 1999 by the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
This independent Commission is made up of nine members. Its mission is to be the guardian of the ethical principles of the Olympic Movement, as set out in the Olympic Charter and the Code of Ethics.
It makes recommendations to the IOC Executive Board and Session.
The Commission’s Activities
The Ethics Commission has three functions:
- It draws up and continuously updates the ethical principles, including in particular the Code of Ethics based on the values and principles enshrined in the Olympic Charter. It disseminates these texts.
- It conducts investigations into breaches of ethics submitted to it by the IOC President and, where necessary, makes recommendations for measures or sanctions to the IOC Executive Board and/or the IOC Session; these recommendations remain confidential until the IOC Executive Board makes a decision.
- It has a mission of prevention and advising the whole Olympic Movement in order to assist with the application of the ethical principles and rules. In all cases, this advice remains confidential.
The Commission meets at least twice a year, and more frequently if the urgency of the files demands it.
Please refer to the "Decisions" section for the decisions with recommendations made by the Ethics Commission.
Who must respect the Olympic Ethics principles?
See the "Application" section.