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«Are you OK?» campaign

You train hard in your sport and constantly face new challenges on your way to reaching your goals. Along the way, you’ll run into situations that don’t always feel totally «right» or «wrong» – moments that fall into what we call the ‘grey area’.

The statements from the 2024 ‘Are you OK?’ campaign all fall in the grey area of the ethics compass. What does that mean? These are behaviours that might not technically break any rules but can still leave you feeling unsure or affect you personally. Find out:

Is it OK if coaches replace players because of a mistake?
It is important to understand the context of the situation. For example, it is OK if coaches establish a training and game plan for their team and then respond to events that occur by changing tactics or act to prevent injury. It is not OK if you are immediately substituted off as soon as you make your first tiny mistake. As an athlete, you are entitled to know your coaches’ criteria and selection processes. Making mistakes is a part of sport, the learning process, and team culture.

Is it OK if a dad is the loudest person on the sidelines?
It is important to understand the context of the situation. For example, it is OK if an athlete is receiving loud support from the stands. It is not OK if the athlete is being put under pressure or if the coach/referee’s work is being disrupted. Remember your environment and what you need in order to be in top form for competitions.

Is it OK if a physio sends a heart emoji via WhatsApp?
It is important to understand the context of the situation. For example, it is OK if the physio is expressing excitement at sporting success. It is not OK if they are being sent as a pushy or suggestive message. It is important to discuss this with trusted individuals such as your teammates, coaches or parents. Decide as a team what is OK for you and what is not.

Is it OK if a club only posts the boys’ victory?
It is important to understand the context of the situation. For example, it is OK if it has been agreed that they will only post about wins – and the girls’ team came second. It is OK if the relevant person was not aware of the result. It is not OK if there was no good reason not to post about the girls’ win, as a club should promote all of its teams equally. Try to talk to the person responsible at the club (e.g. the social media representative) and offer to send the match results and some photos of the event.

Trust your instincts and ask yourself: «Is this OK to me, or does something not feel right?». Talking about bad experiences is not easy, but often discussing them with a trusted individual will help. If you discuss and consider the situation, you will often be able to find a solution together.

For example, you could talk to the following people close to you:

Family, host family
Friends, colleagues
Teammates, coaches
Sports doctors, psychological advisers, sports nutritionist, physiotherapists, massage therapists
Club / association leadership
Swiss Sport Integrity reporting service

Support and help

You might find yourself in a situation that goes far beyond the grey area and is clearly problematic or dangerous. This falls in the ‘orange’ or ‘red’ area, where immediate help and support are required:

Inequality and discrimination

You are discriminated against and put at a disadvantage due to your skin colour, ancestry, nationality, social background, gender, age, disability, mental illness, language, religion, political or other views, status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or for other reasons.

Violation of psychological integrity

Systematic and repeated comments and mobbing are being used to harass you, exclude you or violate your dignity or honour, or you have become the victim of stalking.

Violation of physical integrity

You are being subjected to actions that could cause pain, physical harm or injury, especially hitting, pushing, kicking, burning, inappropriate training methods, or being forced to consume alcohol or drugs.

Violation of sexual integrity

You are experiencing sexual harassment, comments about your physical merits and weaknesses, obscene or sexist language, advances or touching, kissing, suggestive gestures or intrusiveness, unwanted touching or petting, are receiving pornographic material (e.g. images, videos), or are being encouraged to engage in sexually inappropriate behaviour.

Do you need further advice, expert consulting, or to report something? Then the following services could help:

Swiss Sport Integrity - the independent reporting service for Swiss sport

Swiss Sport Integrity is an independent, secure point of contact to uncover and eliminate doping offences, ethics violations and abuse in Swiss sport as quickly as possible.

The Swiss Sport Integrity reporting portal is open to anyone wanting to report potential violations or abuse. An initial consultation will provide information about potential courses of action, and if relevant, you will be referred to a suitable information centre for in-depth advice.

Swiss Sport Integrity can be reached at www.sportintegrity.ch or by phone on +41 31 550 21 31 (weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.). Reports can be submitted entirely anonymously if desired.

Do you have questions or concerns about medicines, checks, or other topics relating to anti-doping rules? Swiss Sport Integrity – previously Antidoping Switzerland – would be happy to help you.

Telephone 147: Counselling and support for young people

Pro Juventute’s 147 helpline was set up to help young people with any questions they may have – for example, regarding drugs, violence, sexuality, mobbing, or conflict with parents or coaches. The specialists at Pro Juventute can be reached 365 days a year, round the clock, either personally via the telephone number 147, by email or WhatsApp. All enquiries are free and treated as confidential. Calls made or SMSs sent will not appear on a telephone bill.

Telephone 143: heart2heart

The 143 telephone number from heart2heart is available 24/7 for adults who need a helpful, supportive chat. If requested, this Swiss helpline for adults can help callers find ways out of difficult life situations. The 143 helpline is entirely anonymous, and can recommend suitable assistance for callers upon request.

Strengthen your life and health skills

In sport and everyday life, you are consistently pushing your own limits – in your own feelings and in the challenge of responding to unfamiliar situations. ‘Life skills’ are about the ability to handle everyday situations. We offer ten tips with practical examples.

Assistance for trusted individuals

Has someone approached you as a trusted individual, and now you need advice? Or are you looking for tips and tools to help you provide a safe, encouraging and supportive atmosphere for athletes in your role as a leader, mentor or parent? Then the following services could help:

Swiss Olympic's ‘Tools’ provide clubs and associations, athletes, coaches, parents, sports centre operators and other interested individuals with services, tips and support at a glance. These services are filtered by various criteria and can be grouped and easily split into reminder lists.

Campaign materials

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