NEW PROCUREMENT GUIDELINES FOR MAJOR INTERNATIONAL SPORTS EVENTS
The International Olympic Committee (IOC), with the cooperation of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), recently published a guide entitled “Procurement of major international sport-events-related infrastructure and services – Good practices and guidelines for the Olympic Movement”.
This practical tool is the result of the work of a study group set up by IOC experts. It is aimed at assisting Olympic Games and Youth Olympic Games Organising Committees, as it outlines the relevant principles and guidelines for preventing the risk of corruption when procuring infrastructure (permanent and temporary) and services. Implementation will start from the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2022 and the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
The guide will also foster the development of a clear and robust procurement strategy right from the inception of each project, supported by the definition of ethical standards to ensure the prevention of corruption and other misconduct in the process.
For more than a decade now, the IOC has underlined the importance of a strong commitment to supporting and encouraging actions preventing the risks of corruption in sport. Procurement was then identified by the International Partnership Against Corruption in Sport (IPACS) as one of the critical areas in terms of risks of corruption, and it was the main topic addressed by the first of the four Task Forces established by IPACS in December 2017.
Initial analyses by Task Force 1 stressed the links between corruption and procurement inefficiencies, with both responsible for putting ethical and financial pressure on sporting events. Major international sports events are in fact unique: they are large projects of significant value, constrained in a short time period with significant public exposure, and they often have complex governance. Additionally, the need to meet tight deadlines and manage the large resources required for these projects exposes them to financial and reputational risks.
This guide, which complements the work carried out by Task Force 1, aggregates the existing international standards and policies. It also looks at the experience of a wide range of experts in the field and outlines good practices in the procurement of infrastructure and services, in order to serve as an example and provide a useful tool for future organisers.
The guide is written around 13 “Golden Rules” of procurement, each including a list of recommendations, and a checklist with practical tasks for accurate implementation.