The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) has launched its Cycling Integrity brand, a programme that encompasses all the actions – both existing and in development – that it undertakes to promote and enhance integrity in cycling at all levels (athletes, entourage and competitions).
The UCI’s integrity-related efforts are centred on its Code of Ethics, preventive actions, education programmes – run in collaboration with its various stakeholders – and information and awareness campaigns, all of which come under its umbrella brand Cycling Integrity.
The objectives of the Cycling Integrity programme hinge on three pillars: clean cycling, safe cycling and fair cycling, each of which comprise a preventive or risk-limiting component as well as a responsive component for reporting and dealing with problems that arise.
Clean cycling, because it is vital to protect clean athletes to safeguard the integrity and reputation of our sport, ensure a level playing field in competitions, and protect athletes’ health. The UCI is committed to this through its anti-doping programme, which is recognised as one of the most comprehensive and is independently managed by the International Testing Agency (ITA). The UCI also promotes the REVEAL platform, set up and managed by the ITA, which gives all individuals the possibility to share information linked to suspected doping or alleged offences. The promotion of REVEAL is the first campaign launched under the aegis of Cycling Integrity.
Safe cycling, because every member of the cycling community, whether a rider or not, must benefit from a safe environment, free from harassment or other abuse, in which they feel respected. To ensure this is the case, the UCI implements preventive actions and is working on policies and procedures that seek to protect individuals. These will include a cycling protection policy and codes of conduct for both coaches and riders, developed in collaboration with the stakeholders in question. The UCI has also set up a secure whistleblowing platform where any behaviour that undermines the integrity of people in sport can be reported.
Fair cycling, because technological fraud and all forms of competition manipulation pose major threats to the sport. Athletes should be confident that they are taking part in competitions where the rules will be observed and where their sole aim is to do their best. Furthermore, cycling must be credible in the eyes of the public. To ensure that our sport is fair, the UCI has introduced an effective and constantly evolving series of measures to fight technological fraud. It also takes part in the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Integrity Betting Intelligence System (IBIS). This allows for the exchange of information on potential competition manipulation, particularly concerning sports betting, with the aim of preventing any such activity at UCI World Championships. The aforementioned UCI whistleblowing platform is also available for informants to use.
UCI President, David Lappartient, said, “Integrity is one of sport’s core values, upheld by the UCI. It is our responsibility as an International Federation to promote sport’s positive values and to play a leading role in defending them. We can project these values by inspiring men and women around the world, and we must make it our priority to champion them and ensure they are respected by our cycling community. Cycling Integrity is a further step forward in our fight for a fairer and more ethical sport and, more broadly, society.”
UCI Director General, Amina Lanaya, added, “It is up to every member of the cycling family to promote and defend integrity. We can all play a role in ensuring respect and fair play in our sport. With our Cycling Integrity programme, we aim to make all our sport’s stakeholders aware of the need for cycling to be safe, clean and fair. We also want to encourage everyone, including witnesses, to use the tools made available by the UCI to report any of their concerns that the integrity of individuals or competitions has been compromised.”
