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The athletes are at the heart of the Olympic Movement. The IOC’s priority is the protection of the clean athletes and to support them on and off the field of play. This means that any investment in the fight against doping and against match-fixing, manipulation of competition and related corruption, whether it be for education, testing, research, logistics or staffing, cannot be considered as a cost but as an investment in the clean athletes.

On the field athletes are the central actors in the sport competition on which the Olympic Games are built. They are the role models who inspire millions of children around the world to participate in sport and reflect the Olympic ideals.

Off the field the IOC has built on the formation of the IOC Athletes’ Commission in 1981 and addition of an Olympic athlete as a member of the IOC Executive Board in 1999. It has also increasingly supported athletes through career and education programmes, helping athletes develop off the field during and after their careers.

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Fight against doping

The Olympic Movement’s strategy against doping is the protection of the clean athletes based on a zero-tolerance policy, with the aim of ensuring that only clean athletes take part in the competitions. It currently focuses on prevention through detection and deterrence, supported by athlete and entourage education. Overall investment in anti-doping procedures worldwide by all the constituents of the sports movement is estimated to be USD 500 million per year.

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Athletes' space

Looking to stay in touch with a fellow Olympian or other elite athlete? Want to know more about the IOC Athletes’ Commission and the role it plays within the IOC? Interested in finding out more about to balance your athletic career and education/ work? Look no further, the athletes’ space is for you!

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Olympic Solidarity

Olympic Solidarity redistributes the share of the broadcast rights from the Olympic Games through programmes offered to all 205 National Olympic Committees. All Olympic Solidarity’s programmes are aimed at developing and promoting sport worldwide, and encouraging athletes’ participation in the Olympic Games.

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Sports betting

The IOC’s ultimate goal is to protect clean athletes and as such is actively committed to fighting all forms of cheating in sport. The manipulation of sports competitions, in particular when linked to betting activities, has become an area of great concern in recent years. Like doping, such corruption threatens the very integrity of sport.

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Sexual harassment and abuse in sport

Research indicates that sexual harassment and abuse happen in all sports and at all levels, with a greater prevalence in elite sport. Members of the athlete’s entourage who are in positions of power and authority appear to be the primary perpetrators. Research also demonstrates that sexual harassment and abuse in sport seriously and negatively impact athletes’ physical and psychological health. The IOC has initiated a list of measures aimed at protecting athletes by deterring any such activity.

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Healthy Body Image

When girls and women practise sport, they can profit from many health benefits. While these positive attributes far outweigh the risks involved in sports participation, there is scientific evidence that, under certain circumstances, the healthy body image of some female athletes can suffer through sport. In particular, the female athlete triad can have a significant impact on the lives of the girls and women concerned.

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Ethics Code

The Code of Ethics is based upon the values and principles enshrined in the Olympic Charter and is defined and updated by the IOC Ethics Commission. The International Olympic Committee and all other Olympic Movement stakeholders undertake to disseminate the culture of ethics and integrity within their respective areas of competence and to serve as role models.

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