The scandal surrounding the abusive behavior of trainers at the Swiss Gymnastics Association shocked the public last summer and lured politicians from its reserves. The National Assembly and Council of States unanimously called for the creation of a center for reporting violations in sports.

Sports Minister Viola Amherd put additional pressure on the project and called for the project to be implemented by 1 January 2022. An adventure program, since countries such as Australia, Canada or Finland, who already knew such an arrangement, would require four to five years. To develop it. And matched. up.

The Swiss Olympic Games, the Swiss university organization, do not always seem satisfied with their gymnastics events. On the one hand, having an ethical charter that applies to all sports organizations and on the other hand, it does not really matter if it is not followed.

New registration office must be in Antidoping Switzerland

In fact, the Swiss Olympian was aware of the situation when sports and artistic gymnastics were unveiled. The order, issued eight years ago to nearly 80 affiliated national sports federations, did not include the preparation of a code of conduct and reports on their sport, however, being implemented satisfactorily everywhere. This was proved by three external analyzes commissioned by the Swiss Olympic Company at the Spring Olympics 2020. So regardless of current events, the path of reconciliation proceeded through the game long before the game.

Now the plan is on the table. While developing the Swiss model, some solutions found in other countries on the one hand and on the other hand the integrity structures of recent global model sports associations such as Athletics and Python providing similar solutions were followed.

Experts in this field emphasize that the persistently chosen approach to independence increases credibility and makes Swiss sport a world leader in this field. As similar examples, the aim is to link the Ethical Issues Reporting Office with the existing structure of Antidoping Switzerland. The name of the fully independent organization should be Swiss Sport Integrity.

All reports of ethical violations should be collected, processed, and organized by professional experts. The offenses are referred to the judiciary. In the event of mismanagement or damage to the integrity of the game, an investigation will be initiated and a punishment will be requested. Cases that are not morally relevant are either dismissed or sent to a professional association for treatment. The reporting office may take temporary measures against the people.

The disciplinary body of independent lawyers examines these investigative reports from the perspective of sports law, based on tried and tested models of disciplinary bodies for doping cases.

Sanctions against individuals or organizations

It conducts hearings, imposes sanctions and makes binding recommendations. Since complaints are often not resolved by removing people due to error, structural changes are required. Appeals against the Disciplinary Chamber’s decisions can be lodged with the Cass International Court of Sport in Lausanne.

The main advantage of this solution is the practice of standardized punishment. Associations are exempted from the obligation to set up their own reporting offices, ethics committees and judicial officers. Many unions are dissatisfied with delegating this responsibility and providing resources. Under the direction of the Swiss Olympic athlete, he is responsible for the field of prevention along with Maglingen’s training structures.

In terms of independence, the Swiss model is far ahead of Australia, Canada and Finland. Sport Integrity Australia, which was launched on July 1, 2020, is subject to state influence, with the Canadian Center for Sports Ethics not yet having the power to approve and re-assign responsibility to individual associations in Finland.

People from Austria, Netherlands or Norway are very interested in Switzerland. In these countries, the creation of codes of conduct and reporting offices in sports is also on the agenda.

Stefan Nitzel wrote the code of conduct

First, the Board of Trustees of Antidoping Switzerland should approve the new structure. In addition, a new code of ethics for sports associations will be presented on 5 and 6 May at the Swiss Olympic Forum and the consultation process will begin. Swiss sports associations should change their rules so that all athletes, coaches and officials are subject to new procedures and controls.

Former Olympic and World Rover Stefan Nitzel, international sports advocate and longtime judge at the Lausanne Sports Court, drafted the rules based on the mandate. Netzle has been at the forefront of various associations in developing and providing ethical guidelines.

Till the final version, there is still difficult and long detailed work for legal experts. The Sports Parliament will adopt the first Uniform Code of Conduct for Swiss Sport on 26 November.