Who we are
About the Gymnastics Ethics Foundation
The GEF was founded in January 2019 by the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG), the world governing body for the sport, with 164 member national federations. It now operates independently to ensure that violations of FIG rules, policies, and procedures — including ethical breaches — are handled in an unbiased way.
2019
Founded by the FIG
164
FIG member federations
100%
Operationally independent
Our purpose
We seek to build trust and add value to all members of the gymnastics community by offering more accountability and support.
What we do
Three areas of work
These three functions sit at the centre of how the GEF protects the people the sport exists for.
Safeguarding
Protecting athletes and other participants in gymnastics from harassment and abuse.
Learn moreDisciplinary
Carrying out disciplinary proceedings in accordance with FIG policies and procedures.
Learn moreCompliance
Monitoring good governance and ethical principles of the FIG and its members.
Learn moreStrategic framework
Gymnasts 2028
The GEF carries out its functions based on its strategic framework, Gymnasts 2028, and in accordance with the documents below. The 2023–2028 strategy structures the Foundation’s work and allows for impactful action leading up to the Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028 editions of the Olympic Games.
Funding
2M CHF
Endowment at founding
Funding for the GEF comes from an endowment of 2 million CHF set up by the FIG at its founding, in addition to grants, donations, gifts, and subscriptions.
Governance
How GEF is structured
The GEF Council sets direction and appoints the Director, who leads a small operational team. Two bodies act independently of this structure to safeguard impartiality.
GEF Council
Director
The GEF is overseen by the Swiss Federal Supervisory Authority for Foundations.
Meet the team
Leadership & Council
Giovanni Maria Fares
Executive Director
Swiss-qualified Attorney-at-Law with extensive experience in arbitration and sports law.
Giovanni Maria Fares
Executive Director
Swiss-qualified Attorney-at-Law with extensive experience in arbitration and sports law.
Micheline Calmy-Rey
President
Former President, Federal Councillor, and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Swiss Confederation
Slava Corn
Member
Honorary Vice President, FIG
HRH Feisal Al Hussein
Member
President, Jordanian Olympic Committee. Member, IOC Executive Board.
Jean-Pierre Morand
Member
Attorney-at-Law. Partner, Kellerhals Carrard.
Aagje Vanwalleghem
Member
Athletes’ representative. Olympian and safe sport advocate.
Fidinter SA — Auditor
Member of EXPERTsuisse, with federal accreditation as an auditor.
Transparency
Annual reports
Read our annual reports and audited financial accounts, published each year since the GEF’s founding in 2019.
Report a concern
Something’s wrong? We’re here to help
Everything you send is confidential. Your report goes to a trained intake officer — not to a federation, club, or coach.