Letter to the IOC: Adopt an Eighth Fundamental Principle of Olympism

Dr. Thomas Bach
President
International Olympic Committee
Av Général-Guisan 70
1009 Pully
Switzerland

October 16, 2019

Dear President Bach,

Human rights are universal and inalienable; indivisible; interdependent and interrelated. Ensuring respect for these rights in sport is essential for athletes as competitors, but more importantly it guarantees and recognizes us as people first and athletes second. As we’ve seen time and time again over this last year through cases of unimaginable abuse, gender and racial discrimination, silencing of athlete voices, threats to athlete safety and wellbeing, and restrictions on athletes’ ability to make a living – the ever changing and often arbitrary rules of sport continue to supersede the rights of athletes. Until the IOC places a priority on human rights within its policy framework and above all else, its Olympic Charter, this will continue to be the case.

In a recent press release you were quoted saying, “Our mission, to put sport at the service of humanity, goes hand-in-hand with human rights, which is part of our DNA.”

President Bach, it is time to bring your words to life.

The Olympic Charter is the fundamental guide for the development, functioning, and growth of the IOC and the Olympic movement. It is for that reason that we recommend the IOC to urgently adopt an ‘Eighth Fundamental Principle of Olympism’. This Principle would read:

“The Olympic Movement is committed to respecting all internationally recognized human rights and shall strive to promote the protection of these rights.”

This would signal a real and meaningful commitment in respecting and protecting the human rights of athletes and all involved in sport.

With ongoing issues of maltreatment, discrimination, denial of freedom expression and barriers to effective representation rampant in today’s sport landscape, the IOC continues to enable the oppression of its most valuable ambassadors. This was made clear through the IOC’s adoption of the Athletes’ Rights & Responsibilities Declaration, despite strong objections, which imposes obligations on athletes under the pretext of ‘Responsibilities’ that openly limit basic human rights. Simply put, the power of sport is in jeopardy when its athletes are being compromised. Without a commitment to respecting all internationally recognized human rights from the IOC, athletes will continue to be vulnerable.

We are demanding meaningful change now.

It is time to adapt to today’s athlete-centered sport culture. We, the athletes are driving it and we are holding those who play in it accountable to sport’s most important stakeholder. We have mobilized quickly, and are in a position to continue to grow the athlete voice movement to all corners of the globe to ensure athletes are part of the decision processes that impact their lives.

It is time to demonstrate your commitment to us as people first. The IOC is dangerously falling behind in quite possibly the most important aspect of the Olympic movement – humanity.

Sincerely,

AthletesCAN
Athletes Germany
United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee Athletes’ Advisory Council New
Zealand Athletes Federation
Global Athlete

Related news

Saudi Arabia: Migrant Workers Electrocuted, Decapitated, and Falling to Death at Workplaces

Saudi Arabia: Migrant Workers Electrocuted, Decapitated, and Falling to Death at Workplaces

Prevent, Investigate Deaths; Compensate Families; Mandate Life Insurance (Beirut) – Scores of migrant workers in Saudi Arabia die in gruesome yet avoidable workplace-related accidents, including falling from buildings, electrocution, and even decapitation, Human Rights Watch said today. Saudi authorities have failed to adequately protect workers from preventable deaths, investigate workplace safety incidents, and ensure timely and adequate […]

READ MORE

“We’re building a lasting movement of resistance.”

“We’re building a lasting movement of resistance.”

Workshop Recap: Dynamics of Abuse – Gender Based Violence The month of March marks International Women’s Month – a time to remember and honor the historical fight of women around the world on issues that challenges their existence. Committed to our goals of amplifying women and girls’ voices and their experiences in sport, the Athletes […]

READ MORE

FIFA Has No Child Safeguarding Policy for 2026 World Cup

FIFA Has No Child Safeguarding Policy for 2026 World Cup

US, Host Cities, FIFA Need to Commit to Protecting Youth In two months, the FIFA Club World Cup, an international football tournament for club teams, will kick off in the United States, serving as a testing ground for the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup next year. But FIFA has inexcusably not put a clear and […]

READ MORE

Related resources

Image shows the arms of six players wearing read jerseys and black sleeves huddled with their hands together.

FIFA: Recognize, Support Afghan Women’s Team in Exile

New Report Details Afghan Women Footballers’ Fight for Right to Play (Amsterdam, March 25, 2025) – The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) should act to stop the ongoing discrimination against Afghan women footballers living in exile and facilitate their return to international competition, the Sport & Rights Alliance said in a report released today. […]

READ MORE

“I know for whom I’m fighting every day.”

“I know for whom I’m fighting every day.”

Recap: Advocacy Tools & Strategies for Advancing the Rights of Impacted People On October 24th, the Athletes Network for Safer Sports held its third capacity-building online workshop on advocacy skills and strategies for impacted athletes and allies. Moderated by Joanna Maranhão and joined by over 30 participants, the discussion centered on our panelists’ experiences advocating […]

READ MORE

Join the Network

Sport has the potential to be a catalyst for human development, unity, and freedom, but too often it instead brings harm to its athletes, fans, and communities. We exist to uncover and rectify the many abuses that exist both in and around sport. We aim to transform sports into an authentic force for good.