The Olympic Code of Conduct

The Olympic Code of Conduct is contained within the Olympic Charter.



The Olympic Charter is a 96-page document that details the spirit, behavior and finer details of holding an Olympic Games. It is a guide which informs athletes and officials how they should approach the Olympic Games, and the significance of the Olympics throughout history. It is, in effect, akin to a constitution.



The Charter also details issues such as Olympics mottoes, flags, anthems and the relationship between IOC (International Olympic Committee) member nations and the IOC itself.

  1. Chapter One

    • The first chapter of the Charter outlines the basis for the document. It details bylaws which pertain to the mission and role of the IOC, Olympic Congress and Solidarity as well as dealing with issues of who holds the rights to the Games, symbols, flags, mottoes, anthems, emblems and the Olympic torch and flame.

    Chapter Two

    • Chapter two is the doctrine which summarizes the roles and responsibilities of the IOC. It details the member states, the executive, the president, commissions, ethics and the measures and sanctions available to the IOC. There is also a section on languages and a guide as to how the resources of the IOC should be disseminated.

    Chapter Three

    • The third chapter of the Charter is by far the shortest, at only one-and-a-half pages. It outlines the roles and responsibilities of International Federations. International Federations are each individual Olympic sport's governing body, and this chapter details the relationship and obligations held between the IOC and the International Federations.

    Chapter Four

    • The penultimate chapter regards the National Olympic Committees (NOCs.) The NOCs are each individual nations Olympic Games governing body, and the fourth chapter details the role of NOCs both in their domestic and global context, how NOCs must be composed to be valid for Olympic participation and guidelines that govern the flags, anthems, emblems and mottoes of each NOC.

    Chapter Five

    • The fifth and final chapter of the Charter is the longest. It details the many practicalities involved in organizing and hosting an Olympic Games, including how host nations are chosen, the location and venues that will specifically host Olympic events within the nation, and how national organizing committees should be composed.

      The fifth chapter also makes provisions regarding the Olympic Village, which hosts the athletes and officials during a Games, as well as restrictions on the age of athletes, anti-doping guidelines and sanctions, how media, advertising and propaganda should be handled by host nations, how official ceremonies should be administered and the rights of the host nation to use Olympic branding.