Lausanne, Switzerland – The global sporting landscape took a decisive step forward in its unwavering commitment to integrity on October 24, 2025, as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) hosted the 5th International Forum for Sports Integrity (IFSI) at Olympic House. Under the theme "Evolving for Integrity," the hybrid event brought together over 400 influential leaders from the Olympic Movement, governments, intergovernmental organizations, and betting authorities, both in person and online, to address the most pressing challenges to the credibility and fairness of sport worldwide.
A Unified Front: The Universal Declaration on Sports Integrity
The Forum culminated in a pivotal moment with the unanimous adoption of the Universal Declaration on Sports Integrity. This action-oriented document outlines concrete responsibilities and follow-up actions across four critical priority areas, serving as a new benchmark for collective efforts to safeguard sport. The Declaration reaffirms the shared commitment to protect and promote sports integrity, recognizing that the strength of the entire sporting ecosystem relies on the collective efforts of all stakeholders.
IOC President Kirsty Coventry, a double Olympic champion, emphasized the profound importance of this collaborative approach in her opening speech. She utilized a powerful "spider web" metaphor, stating,
"We want athletes and the public to believe in us – we want them to understand that we are doing the right thing, and we are protecting what we believe in for generations to come. But it can only be done if we are that spider web - if we link together and we work together as one in a way that is collaborative and uses all of our strengths to ensure that everyone is getting stronger together."Her words underscored the necessity of a unified and comprehensive strategy to uphold the values of sport.
Addressing the Pillars of Integrity
Promoting Good Governance and Combating Corruption
One of the core tenets of the Universal Declaration focuses on strengthening good governance within sports organizations and actively combating corruption. Discussions at the forum highlighted that corruption risks in sport continue to rise, impacting both competitions and the organizations themselves. Experts and leaders shared insights into enhancing organizational integrity, with Council of Europe Deputy Secretary General Bjørn Berge detailing the Council's significant work, including key conventions on anti-doping, combating spectator violence, and manipulation of sports competitions. Brigitte Strobel-Shaw, Chief of the Corruption and Economic Crime Branch of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), stressed the global partnership between UNODC and the IOC as a driving force in this effort, noting that strengthening sports integrity helps ensure its role in positive social and economic development.
Preventing Competition Manipulation
The Forum placed a strong emphasis on the prevention of competition manipulation, a persistent threat to the credibility of sport. The Olympic Movement issued a crucial call to action, urging states to ratify the Council of Europe Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions and to effectively implement its provisions. Furthermore, participants were encouraged to implement relevant provisions of the UN Convention against Corruption and the Convention against Transnational Organised Crime to effectively tackle competition manipulation. Panel discussions featured experts such as Nicolas Sayde, Secretary of the Council of Europe Convention, Khalid Ali, CEO of the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA), and Jean-Luc Moner-Banet, President of United Lotteries for Integrity in Sports (ULIS), all reiterating the commitment of their respective entities to combat this menace.
Integrity in Officiating and the Role of AI
A forward-looking aspect of the discussions revolved around the integrity of technical officials and the increasingly prominent role of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The integration of AI into judging and refereeing across various sports and competitions was presented as a transformative step towards enhancing fairness, accuracy, and consistency. Recognizing that traditional judging systems often face challenges such as subjectivity and inconsistency, the Forum acknowledged AI's potential to strengthen the credibility of outcomes and align with the Olympic Movement's values. This session explored how technology can help uphold the highest standards of integrity, with speakers like Joshua Suh, AI Business Manager at the IOC, contributing to the dialogue.
Safeguarding in Sport: A Survivor-Centred Approach
The crucial topic of safeguarding in sport was also a central theme, highlighting the need for trauma-informed, survivor-centred, and context-specific approaches. The discussions acknowledged that there is no one-size-fits-all model for safeguarding, and examined diverse structures and system designs across different sporting and national contexts. Identifying critical success factors, the aim is to build trust and foster safe sporting cultures from the local to the international level, ensuring that all participants can enjoy sport safely and freely. HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein, an IOC Member and Chair of the IOC Safe Sport Steering Committee, was among the prominent voices in this vital discussion.
The Power of Collaboration and Future Outlook
The 5th IFSI underscored the indispensable power of collaboration. In the lead-up to the Forum, several important meetings were held on October 23, including the International Partnership against Corruption in Sport (IPACS) Steering Committee, the IPACS Annual General Conference, and a meeting of the Advisory Board of the Olympic Movement Unit on the Prevention of the Manipulation of Competitions. These preparatory sessions further solidified the groundwork for the discussions and outcomes of the main event.
On the sidelines of the Forum, the IOC renewed its commitment to collaborate closely with key international partners, including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Council of Europe, and INTERPOL, to collectively protect sports integrity. Glenn Micallef, European Union (EU) Commissioner for Youth, Intergenerational Justice, Sport and Culture, addressed participants via video, stating,
"Initiatives such as the IFSI are so vital: bringing governments, intergovernmental organisations and the sports movement together has shown how cooperation can make a real difference in fighting corruption and promoting good governance."He further emphasized that integrity is key to strengthening the credibility of European and global sport.
The unanimous adoption of the Universal Declaration on Sports Integrity at the 5th IFSI marks a significant milestone. It not only reaffirms the collective global commitment but also provides a clear, action-oriented framework for all stakeholders to continue evolving for integrity, ensuring the enduring trust and credibility of sport for generations to come. The event showcased a united front against threats to sport, paving the way for a more ethical, transparent, and fair future for athletes and fans worldwide.
