This is not the entire code
of ethics. For is entirety go to your Rules and Policy book on Pages 7-9.
Introduction: The code is not
intended to establish a set of rules that will, by inclusion or exclusion,
prescribe the appropriate behavior for USA Gymnastics members in every aspect of
their participation in the sport. Rather, the Code offers general principles to
guide conduct, and the judicious appraisal of conduct, in situations that
ethical merit.
The Code cannot further ethical conduct in the sport of gymnastics; that can
only come from the personal commitment of the participants in the sport to
behave ethically. This Code is offered to guide and to affirm the will of all of
USA Gymnastics members to safeguard the best interests of the sport by acting
ethically at all times.
Elements of the Code
Participant Relationships: Members of USA Gymnastics are charged with the
responsibility for contributing to an environment which makes participation in
the sport a positive and rewarding experience. In order to achieve that result,
each professional member has a special obligation to make decisions based on the
best interest of the athlete. It is inconsistent with this obligation for any
member to: Fail to follow the USAG Safety Rules, Engage in unsportsmanlike
conduct, Engage in conduct toward another participant in the sport which is
excessively or repeatedly abusive, Discriminate on the basis of race, sex,
creed, sexual orientation, age national origin, or mental or physical
disability, Attempt to intimidate, embarrass, or improperly influence any
individual responsible for judging or administering a competition, Engage in
business practices directed toward another member which are determined by a
court or other similar adjudicatory body to be unethical, illegal, or a breach
of contract.
Participation: Any USA Gymnastics activity or event should be open to any
member properly qualified under the rules of that activity or event, and every
member participating in a USA Gymnastics activity or event has an obligation to
participate to the best of their abilities. It is inconsistent with this
obligation for any member to: Restrict the ability of a member to qualify for or
participate in competition because of a member's race, sex, creed, sexual
orientation, age national origin, or mental or physical disability, Participate
as a judge, coach, athlete, or administrator in any activity that judge, coach,
or athlete is inadequately prepared, unable to participate, or fails to
participate to the best of his or her ability, Engage in behavior that is
so disorderly or inappropriate as to interfere with the orderly conduct of the
activity or other members' participation in, or enjoyment of, the activity,.
Loyalty: A member of USA Gymnastics has a duty of loyalty to the sport of
gymnastics and the rules and regulations that govern it. It is inconsistent with
this obligation for any member to: Knowingly misrepresent USA Gymnastics, Fail
to resort in the first instance to the established procedures for challenging a
competitive result, contesting a team selection decision, complaining about the
conduct of another member, or attempting to reverse a policy adopted by USA
Gymnastics, Breach the duty to maintain appropriately established confidences of
USA Gymnastics or its members.
Communication: Members of USA Gymnastics have a duty to communicate
honestly and openly with the organization and its members. It is inconsistent
with this obligation for any member to: Misrepresent competitive achievements,
Knowingly disseminate false / misleading information about another member,
Withhold from athlete members information or resources likely to enhance the
athlete's enjoyment of the sport or reduce their risk of injury, Fail to consult
with or inform fully the athlete of the athlete's parents about opportunities
made available to the athlete involving competitions, commercial activities, or
recognition, Misrepresent the nature or extent of an injury in order to decline
an invitation to participate in or withdraw from a competition assignment,
training camp or other similar activity, Misrepresent the nature or extent of an
injury in order to participate in (or cause an athlete to participate) a
competition, training camp, or other similar activity when such participation is
inconsistent with the appropriate medical response to the injury.
Alcohol and Drug Abuse: Members of USA Gymnastics must ensure that the
sport is conducted in an environment free of drug or alcohol abuse.
Criminal Misconduct: Members of USA Gymnastics are expected to comply
with all applicable criminal codes. This obligation is violated by any member
who has been convicted of or has entered a plea of guilty or no contest to a
criminal charge or indictment involving sexual misconduct, child abuse, or
conduct that is a violation of a law specifically designed to protect minors,
and, depending on the nature of the crime, may be violated by any member who has
been convicted of or has entered a plea of guilty or no contest to any felony
change or indictment involving conduct other than that specifically described
above.
Sexual Misconduct: Professional Members of USA Gymnastics must protect
the integrity of the sport and the interests of the athletes they serve by
avoiding sexual relationships with athletes except where the capacity and
quality of the athlete's consent to enter that relationship is beyond question.
Professional and Athletic Development: Members of USA Gymnastics should
strive to increase their level of proficiency and skill.
Enforcement of the Code
Compliance with the full USAG Gymnastics Code depends primarily upon
understanding and voluntary compliance, secondarily upon enforcement by peers,
and, when necessary enforcement through disciplinary action.
Any Individual who believes that a member of USA Gymnastics has failed to meet
his or her obligations under this Code is, under all but the most egregious
circumstances, encouraged to first address that concern directly to that member.
If that action does not result in satisfactory resolution, the individual may
file a written complaint with the President, program director, or other
appropriate staff members of USA Gymnastics. That complaint must be signed and
must state specifically the nature of the alleged misconduct. Upon review of the
complaint and, where appropriate, additional discussions with the complainant
and/or member who is the subject of the complaint, the President may:
Determine that the complaint does not merit further action, Counsel the member
who is the subject of the complaint and record both the complaint and the nature
of the counseling in the member's permanent record, Refer the complaint, as
appropriate, to the state or regional chairs/committees or affiliated
organization, Process the complaint under the member misconduct or grievance
procedures of USA Gymnastics Bylaws.