Executive Summary

The Federal Office of Sport (BASPO) has reviewed the implementation of good governance requirements in national sports federations. Of 69 federations reviewed, approximately 80 percent fully meet all requirements in effect since January 1, 2025. Particularly high compliance rates are evident in gender representation and term limits, while conflicts of interest still require improvements.

Persons

  • Swiss Olympic (umbrella organization)

Topics

  • Good Governance in sports federations
  • Ethics requirements and compliance
  • Gender representation in sports
  • Conflicts of interest and transparency

Clarus Lead

Swiss sports federations are on track with the implementation of new ethics standards. The Federal Office of Sport BASPO confirms: Four out of five of the 69 reviewed federations meet all good governance requirements. Particularly noteworthy is the high compliance with gender representation (over 90 percent). However, there is still a need for action in the documentation of conflicts of interest.

Detailed Summary

Since the beginning of 2025, sports organizations receiving federal funding must demonstrate comprehensive measures to implement good governance standards. BASPO's review shows a positive overall picture: approximately 80 percent of reviewed federations have fully implemented the requirements from the Sports Promotion Ordinance. This particularly concerns requirements for balanced gender representation in governing bodies as well as term limits for officials – both criteria are met by over 90 percent.

The remaining ten percent of federations that have not yet fully met these requirements have committed to making corresponding statute amendments in the first quarter of 2026. The greatest need for improvement exists in the management of conflicts of interest: 12 percent of federations do not yet maintain a complete register of the interests of their board members or do not publish it internally within the federation. BASPO will conduct a further review on a case-by-case basis to determine how to proceed with non-compliant federations. This will also involve the umbrella organization Swiss Olympic, which plays a supporting role in the Swiss sports system.

Key Messages

  • 80 Percent Compliance: Four out of five reviewed national sports federations fully meet all good governance requirements
  • Gender Representation Leads: Over 90 percent of federations successfully implement balanced gender representation and term limits
  • Conflicts of Interest as Weakness: 12 percent of federations have deficiencies in the documentation and disclosure of conflicts of interest
  • Legal Framework Since 2025: The new requirements are part of the "Ethics in Swiss Sports" action package and protect athletes from violence and discrimination

Critical Questions

  1. Data Quality: Are the compliance rates based on self-reporting by federations or on independent audits? How is the reliability of the information verified?

  2. Conflicts of Interest – Definition: What specific interests must be registered? Are there uniform thresholds or categories?

  3. Sanction Mechanisms: What specific consequences threaten the 12 percent of federations with deficiencies in conflicts of interest – reduction of federal funding or other measures?

  4. Effectiveness of the Ethics Charter: How is it measured whether the good governance measures actually lead to less violence and discrimination in sports, or does the review focus only on formal compliance?

  5. Swiss Sport Integrity Role: How does the independent reporting office SSI coordinate with BASPO reviews? Are there interfaces in the investigation of ethics violations?

  6. Use of Transition Period: Why do 10 percent of federations still need until Q1 2026 for statute amendments, even though the transition period already ended on January 1, 2025?

Source List

Primary Source: Implementation of Ethics Requirements: Approximately 80 Percent of National Sports Federations Meet All Requirements – https://www.news.admin.ch/de/newnsb/2N5XCwQrx-X0syp4PeHTa

Verification Status: ✓ February 19, 2026

This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial Responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-Check: February 19, 2026