FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers about the GEF: what it does, how to report a concern, what happens next, and what the Foundation can and cannot do.
01 · 7 questions
About the GEF
What is the Gymnastics Ethics Foundation (GEF)?
The GEF is an independent foundation under Swiss law, created in January 2019 by World Gymnastics (the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique, FIG). Its mission is to ensure that breaches of the rules of gymnastics, including ethical and safeguarding breaches, are handled independently and without bias.
What are the GEF’s main areas of work?
The GEF works on three pillars:
- Safeguarding: protecting athletes and all other participants from harassment, abuse and other forms of harm.
- Disciplinary: investigating alleged infringements of the rules of World Gymnastics and prosecuting them before the GEF Disciplinary Commission.
- Compliance: monitoring the observance of good governance and ethical principles by World Gymnastics and its member federations.
Is the GEF independent from World Gymnastics?
Yes. The GEF was created by World Gymnastics, but it is a completely separate legal entity with its own governance, staff, budget and rules. It acts free from instruction: neither World Gymnastics nor any national federation can instruct the GEF to open a case, close a case or reach a particular outcome.
Decisions of the GEF Disciplinary Commission can be appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which is external to both the GEF and World Gymnastics.
This system ensures that complaints are addressed in a fully independent and impartial way, that participants are adequately protected from any form of harm and that the integrity of gymnastics is safeguarded.
Who governs and oversees the GEF?
The GEF is governed by its Foundation Council, which protects the independence of the Foundation and sets its strategy. The Council plays no part in individual cases. As a Swiss foundation, the GEF is supervised by the Swiss Federal Supervisory Authority for Foundations.
The current composition of the Council is published here.
Who leads the GEF’s day to day operations?
The Executive Director of the GEF is Giovanni Maria Fares, a Swiss-qualified attorney-at-law specialised in sports law and arbitration, who joined in November 2025 after approximately six years at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The Head of Legal Affairs is Simon Geinoz, a lawyer specialised in sports integrity and athlete protection.
How is the GEF funded?
At its creation, the GEF was endowed with CHF 2 million by World Gymnastics, which also provides an annual contribution. The GEF may also receive grants, donations and other contributions. The accounts of the GEF are published every year.
Which rules does the GEF apply?
The GEF applies the FIG regulations, in particular the FIG Code of Discipline (2026 Edition), the FIG Code of Ethics, the FIG Code of Conduct and the FIG Safeguarding Policy.
The Rules Governing Proceedings before the GEF (2026 Edition) govern the entire activity of the GEF and its proceedings. Further rules governing the GEF are found in its Articles of Incorporation and Operational Rules.
All of these texts are available in the Resources section of this website.
02 · 6 questions
Safeguarding
What does safeguarding mean?
Safeguarding means protecting athletes and every other participant in gymnastics from non accidental harm. This includes psychological and physical abuse, sexual harassment and abuse, bullying, hazing, neglect and poor practice, as defined in the Safeguarding Policy of World Gymnastics.
Who is protected?
Every participant: athletes of all ages and levels, coaches, judges, officials, volunteers, staff, and any other person involved in gymnastics.
Who deals with a safeguarding case: the GEF or my national federation?
As a rule, safeguarding matters that arise at national level are handled by the national federation concerned. The GEF has a subsidiary role: it acts where a national federation does not act, or where the handling of a case falls short of applicable safeguarding standards. It also has primary competence in a limited number of clearly defined cases.
You can always report to the GEF directly. The GEF will assess your report and determine the appropriate route.
What happens after a safeguarding report is made?
The GEF first reviews the report to determine whether it concerns a possible breach of the rules of World Gymnastics and who is competent to deal with it.
Where the matter falls within the jurisdiction of the GEF, the GEF investigates it. Where the evidence gathered meets the required threshold, the case is referred to the GEF Disciplinary Commission for adjudication.
Where the matter does not fall within the primary jurisdiction of the GEF, it is referred to the competent national federation. In that case, the GEF monitors the handling of the matter to ensure that it is dealt with in accordance with the applicable rules. Where the national federation fails to deal with the matter appropriately, the GEF may assume jurisdiction.
Where a person appears to represent a risk to participants, protective measures are available, including a provisional suspension. Where criminal or civil law may have been breached, the GEF may inform the competent authorities.
Can I report a concern if I am not the person affected?
Yes. Witnesses and anyone who becomes aware of possible abuse or misconduct are encouraged to report.
What support is available to persons affected?
The GEF provides guidance and support to persons affected, whistleblowers and witnesses, and applies protective measures where needed, including special measures for vulnerable witnesses.
03 · 8 questions
Reporting and whistleblowing
How can I report an incident to the GEF?
You can report through the online reporting form on this website (with or without giving your name), by telephone on +41 (0)21 311 13 41, or by WhatsApp message on +41 79 574 24 91. You can submit a report at any time.
If someone is in immediate danger, contact your local emergency services first.
Can I report anonymously?
Yes. Reports can be submitted without giving any personal details. Please note, however, that the GEF may not be able to contact you with questions about an anonymous report, which may make it harder to follow up.
What should my report include?
As much detail as you can: what happened, when and where, who was involved, who else may have witnessed it, and any documents, messages or images you may have.
Incomplete information is still useful. However, the more detail you provide, the easier it is for the GEF to assess the case. If in doubt, we encourage you to submit a report anyway. The GEF may come back to you and guide you on any further information needed.
Should I also report to the authorities or to my national federation?
Where a crime may have been committed, you should also contact the police or the competent authorities. You may report to your national federation and to the GEF at the same time. If you are unsure where to go, report to the GEF, which will help identify the competent body.
Will my report be passed on to my national federation?
Where a matter falls within the competence of a national federation, the GEF may refer it to that federation. The GEF seeks the consent of the person who made the report before doing so. If consent is not given, the GEF may nevertheless decide to investigate the matter on its own initiative where the circumstances so require, in particular to protect participants.
What does whistleblowing mean?
Whistleblowing means disclosing information about suspected wrongdoing in gymnastics, such as abuse, corruption, competition manipulation or other breaches of the rules, usually by someone with inside knowledge. Whistleblowers receive the same protection, confidentiality and support as persons affected.
Am I protected if I report?
Yes. The Code of Discipline expressly prohibits retaliation and intimidation against anyone who reports misconduct or provides information. Retaliation is a standalone disciplinary infringement: it can be prosecuted in its own right, independently of the outcome of the case you reported.
What if my report turns out to be unfounded?
A report made in good faith is protected, even if it does not lead to a finding of wrongdoing. Knowingly false or malicious reports are a different matter and may themselves constitute a breach of the rules.
04 · 6 questions
Matters outside the GEF’s remit
Are there matters the GEF does not deal with?
Yes. The GEF focuses on integrity concerns in international gymnastics. Under the Rules Governing Proceedings, it does not intervene in the following matters:
- athlete and judge selection processes, unless a decision appears manifestly untenable, arbitrary or otherwise unreasonable
- internal governance issues at national level
- private contractual disputes
- anti doping matters
- field of play decisions, scores and judging, unless fraud at an event sanctioned by World Gymnastics is established
- disputes between World Gymnastics and its member federations
- ceremonial or organisational incidents.
Any other matter falling outside the competence of the GEF under the rules of World Gymnastics is likewise excluded.
I disagree with a selection decision. Can the GEF review it?
As a rule, no. The selection of athletes and judges is the responsibility of the national federation, on the basis of their own criteria and procedures. The GEF does not act as an appeal body for selection decisions and does not review their sporting merits.
The GEF intervenes only where a selection decision appears manifestly untenable, arbitrary or otherwise unreasonable, for example where a person appears to have been excluded in retaliation for having reported misconduct, or for discriminatory reasons.
Disagreements about selection criteria or their application should be raised through the internal procedures of the body that took the decision.
Can the GEF intervene in the internal governance of my national federation?
No. Internal governance issues at national level, such as elections, the composition of governing bodies, membership matters, the interpretation of statutes or disputes between officials, clubs and the federation, must be resolved through the federation’s own bodies and, where applicable, before the competent national courts or authorities.
This does not prevent the GEF from acting where conduct within a federation amounts to a breach of the rules of World Gymnastics, for example in cases of corruption, abuse of authority or retaliation against persons who report misconduct.
Can I complain to the GEF about a score or a judging decision?
No. Field of play decisions, scores and judging are governed by the technical rules of World Gymnastics, which provide their own inquiry and review procedures. The GEF intervenes only where fraud at an event sanctioned by World Gymnastics is established, for example the manipulation of results.
Does the GEF deal with doping or contractual disputes?
No. Anti doping matters are handled by the competent anti doping organisations under the anti doping rules of World Gymnastics and the World Anti-Doping Code. Private contractual disputes, for example between an athlete or a coach and a club or federation, must be brought before the competent courts or arbitral bodies.
What happens if my report concerns a matter the GEF does not deal with?
The GEF informs you that the matter falls outside its remit and, where possible, indicates the body that may be competent.
If a report raises several issues, the GEF deals with those that fall within its remit, for example a safeguarding concern arising in the context of a selection dispute.
05 · 12 questions
Investigations and proceedings
How does the GEF handle a case?
In broad terms:
- The GEF reviews the report and determines who is competent.
- The matter is referred to the national federation concerned, closed, or investigated by the GEF.
- Where the evidence warrants it, the GEF brings charges before the Disciplinary Commission.
- A panel of the Commission hears the parties and issues a reasoned decision.
- The decision may be appealed to the CAS.
The GEF team investigates and prosecutes. The Disciplinary Commission, which is separate from the team and from the Council, decides.
Who can be subject to GEF proceedings?
Any person or organisation bound by the rules of World Gymnastics, including athletes, coaches, judges, officials, national federations and other affiliated bodies.
How are disciplinary proceedings opened?
On the basis of the findings of an investigation, the GEF Director decides whether the facts warrant formal proceedings. If so, the person concerned receives a notice of charge setting out the alleged infringement, and the case is brought before the Disciplinary Commission.
Do I have to cooperate with an investigation?
Yes. Every person and organisation bound by the Code of Discipline has a duty to collaborate with investigations and proceedings, for example by providing documents or attending interviews. A breach of this duty is a standalone infringement, in addition to any procedural consequences. Obstructing proceedings is also sanctionable.
This duty does not affect the right not to incriminate oneself.
What is a provisional suspension?
A protective measure ordered by the GEF Director, under defined conditions, where a person is considered to represent a risk to participants or to the integrity of proceedings. It is taken before the outcome of the case is known and is not a finding of guilt.
The person concerned can apply to the Disciplinary Commission to have the suspension lifted, under an expedited procedure.
What is a case resolution agreement?
A way to resolve a case quickly where the person concerned admits the facts alleged. The GEF decides whether to propose an agreement, and any agreement must be compatible with the interests and the protection of the participants concerned.
At the request of the sanctioned person, the agreement may be embodied in a decision of a single member of the Disciplinary Commission. The single member may refuse to do so only if the agreement does not reflect the genuine intent of the parties or is contrary to public policy or mandatory rules.
What is the Disciplinary Commission?
The adjudicating body of the GEF. It is composed of independent legal professionals who sit in panels, and every member must be and remain independent of the parties. The Commission is separate from the GEF team and from the Council. Its composition is published on this website.
How are proceedings before the Commission conducted?
Equal treatment of the parties and the right to be heard are guaranteed. The parties are informed of the charges, receive the file, may be represented, may submit evidence and may put questions to witnesses. Hearings are held by videoconference as a rule. Single member panels and expedited procedures are available where appropriate.
The panel establishes the facts, applies the rules and issues a reasoned written decision. It may dismiss the charges or find an infringement established and impose a sanction.
What is the standard of proof?
The standard of proof is the balance of probabilities. An infringement is established where the panel is satisfied, on the basis of the evidence as a whole, that it is more likely than not that the alleged facts occurred.
This standard is lower than the criminal standard of proof beyond reasonable doubt. It reflects the disciplinary nature of the proceedings, whose purpose is to protect participants and the integrity of gymnastics, not to impose criminal punishment.
The balance of probabilities does not mean that mere suspicion is sufficient. The panel carefully assesses the reliability and weight of each piece of evidence, and the more serious the allegation, the more carefully the evidence is examined.
For the same reason, GEF proceedings are independent of any criminal proceedings. A person may be sanctioned under the rules of World Gymnastics even where no criminal proceedings are brought, or where such proceedings are discontinued or do not lead to a conviction.
What evidence can be relied on?
An infringement may be established by any reliable means, such as written statements, audio or video recordings, messages, admissions or any other evidence relevant to the case. The panel decides on the admissibility of evidence and freely assesses its weight. It is not bound by the rules of evidence that apply before state courts.
What sanctions can be imposed?
The sanctions available under the Code of Discipline include warnings, fines, suspensions and bans from gymnastics activities, among others. In addition, specific accompanying measures, such as completing safeguarding courses, may be imposed.
How are decisions communicated and published?
Decisions are notified to the parties. Final decisions of the Disciplinary Commission are published on this website, and a list of sanctioned national federations and persons is also available.
06 · 3 questions
Appeals and the CAS
Can decisions of the Disciplinary Commission be appealed?
Yes, directly to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, within 21 days of notification of the decision. Appeal proceedings are governed by the Code of Sports-related Arbitration.
What is the Court of Arbitration for Sport?
An independent international institution that resolves sports disputes through arbitration. Its awards are final and binding, subject only to a challenge before the Swiss Federal Supreme Court.
Can a case go directly to the CAS?
Yes, if the parties agree. The Rules Governing Proceedings allow the parties to agree that the case be heard in a single hearing directly before the CAS, instead of a first hearing before the Disciplinary Commission.
07 · 14 questions
Duty to report for national federations
What is the duty to report?
The Code of Discipline requires every national federation to report to the GEF each disciplinary decision taken at national level in safeguarding matters.
Which decisions must be reported?
Any decision, provisional or final, in a disciplinary matter concerning safeguarding, meaning any matter whose subject is non accidental harm to participants within the meaning of the Safeguarding Policy. This includes:
- provisional decisions, such as provisional suspensions
- final decisions, whether or not a sanction is imposed
- decisions not to prosecute
- decisions to dismiss a case.
Why must decisions not to prosecute and dismissals be reported?
Because the most problematic situations are precisely those in which nothing is done. A duty limited to sanctions would never bring those situations to light. Reporting allows the GEF to verify that participants are protected in line with the Safeguarding Policy across all federations.
To be clear, however, where the proceedings have been conducted in accordance with the applicable rules and the decision is tenable, the GEF has no reason to intervene.
Does the duty cover matters other than safeguarding?
No. The duty to report is limited to decisions in safeguarding matters. However, national federations remain free to inform the GEF of any other matter, and anyone may report any possible breach of the rules to the GEF. The GEF may also request information on other matters.
When must a decision be reported?
As soon as possible, and in any case within 90 days of the decision being issued.
Where should reports be sent?
A standard notification form is available [HERE].
What must be sent? Do we have to send the whole file?
No. The complete case file is not required. The federation sends the decision itself, together with brief background information:
- the nature of the proceedings
- the identity of the persons involved
- the nature of the infringement
- any other relevant element.
Our decisions are published online. Is that sufficient?
Publication is welcome in terms of transparency, but decisions must nevertheless be reported to the GEF. In that case, the federation may simply send the link to the published decision.
What about data protection?
Where necessary to protect legitimate interests, or where national data protection requirements apply, the federation may redact sensitive information, while still providing the general information the GEF needs. The GEF treats all information received in strict confidence.
Can the GEF ask for more information?
Yes. Where it considers it necessary, the GEF may request further information, an unredacted version of the decision, the complete file, or any other document useful to verify compliance with safeguarding obligations.
Our disciplinary cases are handled by an external or independent body. Are we still bound?
Yes. Each national federation is bound by the Code and remains bound by the duty to report regardless of any delegation of disciplinary powers. Decisions taken by the external or independent body must therefore be reported as well.
Does reporting a decision transfer the case to the GEF?
No. The duty to report is a notification obligation, not a transfer of the file or of jurisdiction. The national federation keeps full responsibility for its case.
What does the GEF do with the decisions it receives?
The GEF uses them to:
- maintain an overview of safeguarding across the gymnastics community
- verify that national handling of cases meets the standards of the Safeguarding Policy
- identify national sanctions that may warrant a worldwide extension
- intervene in the exceptional cases where minimum standards have not been met.
What happens if a federation does not report?
The main purpose of the duty to report is not to sanction national federations for late or incomplete reporting. That said, a persistent and systemic failure to report may lead to disciplinary proceedings.
08 · 8 questions
National federations and the GEF
Does the new Code transfer disciplinary competence from national federations to the GEF?
No. National federations remain primarily responsible for prosecuting infringements committed at national level. The GEF keeps a subsidiary role, intervening where a federation does not act or does not adequately protect participants, and has primary competence only in a limited number of clearly defined cases. The Code clarifies roles and strengthens the tools available to protect participants.
Must national federations adapt their own rules?
National federations remain free to define their own regulatory framework. The Code, however, sets a minimum standard: federations may go further, but should not fall short of it.
When can the GEF intervene in a national case?
The GEF may review national decisions that are incompatible with the Safeguarding Policy and, in that case, assume jurisdiction. The Safeguarding Policy sets out the criteria that may trigger the jurisdiction of the GEF.
What is the worldwide extension of national sanctions?
The GEF can extend the effects of a national decision to all territories of World Gymnastics.
What are the conditions for a worldwide extension?
The national decision must be final, the rights of the person concerned must have been respected, and the decision must be compatible with the rules of World Gymnastics and with general principles of law.
The GEF carries out a formal review. It does not reopen the case or reconsider the merits, and it keeps discretion to grant or refuse an extension on the basis of those criteria.
Who can request an extension, and how?
An extension may be requested by the national federation that issued the decision, and only by that federation, or initiated by the GEF on its own motion, in particular on the basis of decisions received under the duty to report.
The federation submits a formal request with:
- the final decision
- the case file of the disciplinary proceedings (investigation material is not required unless the GEF requests it)
- confirmation that the decision is final
- proof of notification to the person concerned.
Can a worldwide extension be challenged?
Only by the person subject to the sanction. The appeal is decided by a single member of the GEF Disciplinary Commission, whose review is limited to whether the conditions for extension were met, not the merits of the national case. A filing fee of CHF 1’000 applies and is refunded if the appeal succeeds. The decision can then be appealed to the CAS.
The national federation, the person affected and other participants have no right of appeal, and a decision not to extend a sanction is not subject to review.
Can a national federation entrust its own disciplinary proceedings to the GEF?
Yes. The Rules Governing Proceedings allow the GEF Disciplinary Commission to act as adjudicating body upon delegation by a national federation, for example as its appeal body. The fee for this service is agreed separately with the federation, and proceedings begin once it has been paid.
09 · 4 questions
Protection of witnesses and reporters
Does the GEF have special measures for vulnerable witnesses?
Yes. The Code of Discipline and the Rules Governing Proceedings provide for special measures for vulnerable witnesses, designed to protect those who give evidence from intimidation, retaliation and further harm throughout the proceedings.
Who is a vulnerable witness?
Any person involved in proceedings, whether as a party, witness, expert or otherwise, who requires particular protection in the conduct of the proceedings by reason of:
- being a minor at the time of the relevant facts or at the time of the proceedings
- being an alleged or established victim of harassment, abuse, violence or discrimination
- a physical, intellectual, psychological or sensory impairment
- any other personal circumstance, including a relationship of dependency, authority or trust, exposure to a risk of retaliation or intimidation, a risk of retraumatisation, or a precarious legal, economic or migratory situation.
What protective measures can be applied?
Depending on the case: anonymisation or pseudonymisation, limits on the disclosure of statements, separate hearing arrangements, testimony by video, and restrictions on who may access witness information. The Commission gives due regard to these measures while respecting the right of the person charged to a fair hearing.
Can a witness or reporter be pressured or penalised?
No. The Code of Discipline expressly prohibits retaliation and intimidation against anyone who reports or gives evidence. Such conduct is a standalone infringement, prosecutable independently of the outcome of the underlying case.
10 · 6 questions
Confidentiality
Is the information I give the GEF kept confidential?
Yes. Under the Code of Discipline and the Rules Governing Proceedings, proceedings are confidential. Information is shared only on a need to know basis, and public communication is limited to defined circumstances.
Who has access to my report?
Only the persons within the GEF who need it to handle the case. Where external experts are involved, the GEF ensures they have no conflict of interest and are bound by confidentiality.
Will my identity be shared with the person I report?
Not automatically. If you report anonymously, the GEF does not know your identity. If you give your name, the GEF takes measures to protect you. If a case goes to formal proceedings, fairness may require that the person charged knows the substance of the allegations and the evidence relied on. The GEF manages this carefully, with the protective measures available for witnesses and reporters.
Are decisions made public?
Final decisions of the Disciplinary Commission are published to ensure transparency and accountability, with personal data protected, in particular that of persons affected and of minors.
How is my personal data processed?
In accordance with Swiss data protection law and, where applicable, the EU General Data Protection Regulation. Data is stored securely, accessed only by authorised persons, and kept only as long as necessary.
11 · 4 questions
Compliance and governance
What does the GEF’s compliance work involve?
The GEF oversees the observance of the applicable rules. It reviews complaints about possible breaches and works to bring the parties concerned into compliance in an effective and proportionate way.
Can the GEF advise federations on ethics and governance?
Yes. The GEF may provide guidance on the application of ethical principles and good governance standards.
Which rules must member federations comply with?
The rules of World Gymnastics as a whole, including the Code of Discipline (with the minimum standard it sets and the duty to report safeguarding decisions), the Code of Ethics, the Code of Conduct and the Safeguarding Policy.
What happens if a national federation does not comply?
The GEF can investigate and, where necessary, bring disciplinary proceedings. Sanctions may include fines, suspensions and other measures. A list of sanctioned national federations is published on this website.
12 · 5 questions
Costs and legal representation
Does it cost anything to report?
No. Reporting to the GEF is free of charge through every channel.
Are GEF proceedings free of charge?
Yes, as a rule. Under the Rules Governing Proceedings, proceedings initiated under the rules of World Gymnastics are free of charge. Each party bears its own costs, such as legal fees, although the panel may order a contribution toward the expenses of the prevailing party, and may order an unsuccessful party who has behaved improperly to contribute to the costs of the proceedings.
Are there any fees?
Only in a few defined cases:
- CHF 1’000 to appeal against a worldwide extension of a national sanction, refunded if the appeal succeeds
- CHF 1’000, not refundable, where the person concerned asks that a case resolution agreement be embodied in a decision of the Commission
- an agreed fee where a national federation entrusts its own proceedings to the GEF.
Do I need a lawyer?
If you are a party to formal proceedings, in particular if you are the person charged, legal representation is advisable, because the proceedings are governed by formal rules and may have significant consequences.
What does an appeal to the CAS cost?
The CAS applies its own rules on costs, including specific rules for appeals against disciplinary decisions. Parties generally bear their own legal costs unless the CAS decides otherwise. Anyone considering an appeal should consult the CAS rules and seek independent legal advice.
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