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Code of conduct

Report: Officials to keep an eye on Australian athletes

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Posted: Sunday August 15, 1999 02:21 PM

SYDNEY (Reuters) -- Australia's Olympic team members will be bound by a very strict code of conduct in an attempt to head off potential scandals, an Australian newspaper said on Saturday.

The Weekend Australian newspaper said that under the code team officials for next year's Sydney Olympics would be required to know "where each athlete goes [and] what they are doing."

It said the new, vastly expanded code was prompted by fears that team members risked being involved in scandals because of the intense public attention on them at a home Olympic Games.

Concerns in Australia have been heightened by an ongoing spate of public incidents involving rugby league players in the country.

The document has been signed by Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) president John Coates. The code has also been ratified by the AOC executive committee and the athletes' commission, the paper said.

It outlines expected standards of conduct and penalties for breaching them, including expulsion and possible financial sanctions.

The document refers specifically to conduct at team accommodation and Olympic venues, as well as other issues such as alcohol, general public behavior, media conferences and interviews, use of the team uniform, property damage and possible police issues.

Team managers will be expected to assume more responsibility and accountability for the behavior and whereabouts of athletes during and after competition, the paper said.

"This is not just some old Olympic official sending a directive," Coates was quoted as telling the paper.

"I have passed down responsibility to assistant chefs de mission who are authorized to act [with punishments]. Section managers must know where each athlete goes or what they are doing. Every movement. And they can deal with things like financial sanctions."

Coates said the only time he would become involved was "when it's got to do with a member being expelled."

The document, titled "2000 Australian Olympic Team Behavior Protocol," will complement the standard team members agreement, which all athletes and officials must sign on selection.

 

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