Athletics Australia to fast-track Ethics & Integrity Unit

Despite confirming with the Australian Crime Commission that there was no specific evidence relating to athletics in the ACC’s recent ‘Organised Crime and Drugs in Sport’ report, Athletics Australia has announced it is fast-tracking the formation of a new Ethics and Integrity Unit.

Athletics Australia Chief Executive Officer Dallas O’Brien said that the board of Athletics Australia takes the issues raised in the report extremely seriously and has already called on all members of the athletics world to co-operate fully with any and all Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority investigations. 

The Board has also decided to expedite the formation of a new independent Ethics and Integrity Unit, which will be charged with identifying and addressing any potential vulnerabilities in the sport.

“Whilst we are thankful after confirming that none of the ACC report’s allegations are specific to athletics, we are still determined to do everything possible to safeguard our sport against those individuals whose actions could undermine the integrity of athletics,” O’Brien said. 

“Athletics Australia had already identified the need for the formation of a Ethics and Integrity Unit quite some time ago, and at our most recent Board meeting on 30 January this year approved a motion to introduce one.   In the wake of the release of the ACC report on 8 February however we have begun expediting the set-up up that new unit.

“We are now in the process of consulting with the National Integrity of Sport Unit, the Australian Sports Commission, the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority and the ACC to ensure we implement a best-practice structure for the unit.”

O’Brien said that no sport could afford not to take the ACC report seriously, regardless of whether or not they were directly implicated in the findings.

“There is simply no room for complacency in the battle against sports cheats,” O’Brien said. 

“The ACC report has shaken Australian sport but it is actually a positive.  We are now shining a light onto the darkened corners of sport in this country and can ensure that fan confidence in the level playing field is renewed.”

Athletics Australia will announce appointments to the new Ethics and Integrity Unit in the coming weeks.

Athletics Australia – News