Integrity
Integrity
What is Sport Integrity?
It’s a crucial aspect of sports that ensures fairness, honesty, and respect. The work of the IGF is guided by its Vision, Mission and all of our operations are conducted in line with our Values of Integrity, Solidarity, Respect and Excellence.
As part of its Mission, the IGF commits to:
Safeguard the integrity of golf and protect athletes from doping and the manipulation of competitions and ensure their health, safety and well-being.
Integrity is a core value of the game of golf. It is fundamental for the IGF to preserve the integrity of the sport and competitions, provide fair, safe and inclusive sporting environments and protect the rights of athletes.
The IGF is calling on its national and professional members, athletes, coaches, support personnel, administrators and/or relevant participants or stakeholders to be united and work together to protect our sport from the various integrity threats.
IGF Integrity Unit
The Integrity Unit, at the request of the Head of the IGF Integrity Unit, is tasked with investigating potential violations of IGF policies by Participants. This investigation may involve collaboration with national or international authorities (including criminal, administrative, professional and/or judicial authorities), and Participants are required to fully cooperate. The Integrity Unit has the discretion to temporarily halt its investigation if other competent authorities are conducting parallel inquiries. After completing an investigation, the Integrity Unit provides the Head with a comprehensive report, including findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
The principle of confidentiality shall be strictly respected by the IGF Integrity Unit in all their activities. It must also be strictly respected by any person concerned by the activities of the IGF Integrity
Head of the IGF Integrity Unit
The Head of the IGF Integrity Unit is responsible for investigating potential violations of various IGF codes and policies, such as the Code of Ethics, Safeguarding Policy, and Codes of Conduct. Not every breach requires a formal investigation, and the procedure used depends on the nature and seriousness of the violation. The Head of Integrity may appoint the IGF Integrity Unit for investigations and, if a case is established, can refer it to the IGF Tribunal for a hearing. The Head is entitled to legal counsel during inquiries and serves as the point of contact for complaints, managing the IGF Whistleblowing Channel and providing impartial support.
IGF Tribunal
The IGF Tribunal is operationally independent to ensure impartiality. Individuals involved in investigating or pre-adjudicating a matter cannot serve on the tribunal. The tribunal conducts hearings and decision-making without interference, focusing on cases related to the IGF Code of Ethics, Safeguarding Policy violations, Manipulation of Competitions, Athlete and Support Personnel Conduct, Tournament Support Personnel Conduct, Caddie Regulations, IOC Olympic Charter violations, and other matters referred by the IGF. Anti-Doping Policy violations fall under the jurisdiction of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) Anti-Doping Division. Anti-Doping Policy, World Anti-Doping Code and International Standard for Results Management.
IGF Appeals Panel
The IGF Appeals Panel shall hear appeals filed by a Participant who has been penalised by a decision of the IGF Tribunal.
Appeals against decisions of the CAS Anti-Doping Division related to anti-doping violations may be lodged by the International Testing Agency (ITA) exclusively to the CAS Appeals Division.
Appeals against decisions of Technical Officials or IGF Chief Referees made during a competition are dealt with in accordance with The R&A/USGA Rules of Golf and are not subject to appeal to the IGF Appeals Panel.
IGF Tribunal and CAS Add Decisions
There are no decisions made by the IGF Tribunal or CAS ADD on behalf of the IGF where sanctions are still enforced.
Reporting a Concern
REPORT DOPING: Every piece of information is important in the fight for clean sport.
The ITA REVEAL PLATFORM enables you to report what you may have seen, heard or experienced in a completely anonymous and secure manner. All information is treated in a confidential and sensible manner.
Manipulation of Competitions
The IGF Whistleblowing Channel is available for reporting any suspicious approaches or activities related to competition manipulation, harassment and abuse, infringements of the IGF Code of Ethics or other matters. It also covers financial misconduct or other legal, regulatory and ethical breaches that fall under the IGF's jurisdiction.
The integrity of sport depends on the outcome of sporting events and competitions being based entirely on the competing merits of the participants involved. Any form of corruption that might undermine public confidence in the integrity of a sporting contest is fundamentally contrary to the spirit of sport and must be eradicated at all costs.
The IGF is committed to the integrity of sport and the fight against the manipulation of competitions by adhering to the standards set out in the Olympic Movement Code on the Prevention of the Manipulation of Competitions and by requiring its members to do likewise.
Competition Manipulation – Paris 2024 Awareness Raising Initiatives
With the Olympic Games Paris 2024 just round the corner, the IOC is offering additional guidance to help raise awareness about competition manipulation through the two initiatives outlined below.
PMC E-Learning
Discover the Athlete365 online learning course on preventing the manipulation of competitions, now available! Access the IGF specific page on the Athlete 365 website.
Believe in Sport Digital Campaign
Launching on Monday, 3rd June, the IOC Believe in Sport digital campaign will be featured on Athlete365 channels: website, Instagram, X, and Facebook. Meet the six Paris 2024 Believe in Sport Ambassadors and engage with the campaign's fresh and dynamic reminder of the Code of Conduct!
Resources
A series of integrity tools and documents have been developed to assist national and professional members, athletes, coaches, support personnel, administrators and/or relevant participants or stakeholders to comply with the IGF Code on the Prevention of the Manipulation of Competitions. They are available below for free download.
Policy & Toolbox