Amendment IAAF Code of Ethics – Governance Review – World Athletics Gala

Monaco, Nov 6, 2015: In order to offer as much transparency as possible concerning the work of the IAAF Independent Ethics Board (IAAF Ethics Commission), IAAF President Sebastian Coe has successfully sought approval from the IAAF Council to make a significant amendment to the statutes of the IAAF Code of Ethics.

This amendment to Statute G of the IAAF Code of Ethics, which has been made with immediate effect, will at the very least allow the IAAF Independent Ethics Board to acknowledge the existence of proceedings currently before it and to comment on their current status without divulging details of the case.

IAAF Governance
Since the beginning of his mandate as president at the conclusion of the IAAF World Championships on 30 August, Sebastian Coe has had a team working on a proposal to establish an independent integrity unit to manage the IAAF’s Anti-doping and Integrity programmes. This work includes the framework and terms of reference for an independent Tribunal to hear all doping and integrity related violations committed by international level athletes and their support personnel.

In parallel, a review of the existing organisational design and internal reporting structures has been undertaken. Following on from this, international firms of independent accountants are being engaged to undertake a thorough review of operational and financial controls with a view to identifying any weaknesses and to make recommendations for improvements to ensure that the IAAF operates an internal control environment that is best in class.

These proposals, together with a thorough review of the IAAF’s management structures and policies which have taken place over the last 10 weeks, will be presented for the approval of IAAF Council which meets for its traditional autumnal session on 26 and 27 November in Monaco.
“Central to my presidential manifesto was a commitment that in my first 100 days of office I would carry out a thorough review at IAAF HQ. This modernisation process is nearing conclusion,” commented Sebastian Coe. “The proposals will deliver the IAAF a template for best practise, as a member federation and athlete-focused organisation with the safeguards of robust constitution and corporate governances.”

World Athletics Gala
In coordination with the International Athletics Foundation (IAF), the IAAF has today cancelled this year’s IAF World Athletics Gala which was due to take place in Monaco on Saturday 28 November.

“Given the cloud that hangs over our association this is clearly not the time for the global athletics family to be gathering in celebration of our sport,” confirmed Sebastian Coe. “However we will rightly still honour the outstanding achievements of the sport’s athletes. Therefore the Athlete of the Year and other annual honours will still be awarded and will be promoted and announced on the internet and social media. The IAAF will seek a suitable occasion in the future for the presentation of these awards to be made to the winners.” —- IAAF