Special Olympics Ontario School Programs Code of Conduct
Note: All Special Olympics Ontario school program events, including but not limited to school qualifiers and championships, are subject to the following codes of conduct.
A. Athlete Code of Conduct
Note that an Athlete is any individual registered on the team roster. This includes both traditional and unified participants.
Each athlete shall adhere to the following:
1) Adhere to the Athlete’s Rights and Responsibilities
2) Maintain high standards of conduct, which include self-control and responsible behaviour. An athlete should consider the well-being of others and display courtesy and good manners.
3) Avoid profane or abusive language and disruptive behaviour, including behaviour that is dangerous to self and/or others, including acts of violence, harassment, physical or sexual abuse.
4) Abide by the competition rules, especially the Special Olympics Ontario Official Sports Rules.
5) Abstain from the use of illegal drugs, alcoholic beverages, tobacco products and/or illegal substances when participating in any Special Olympics-sponsored or sanctioned activities. These activities include, but are not limited to, training/practice sessions and competition events.
6) Abstain from all illegal activity.
7) Uphold and Honour the athlete’s oath to the best of their ability (“Let Me Win, But If I Cannot Win Let me Be Brave in the Attempt”)
Code of Conduct Infractions
Special Olympics Ontario has sole and absolute discretion as to any disciplinary actions to be taken if a person violates the Athlete Code of Conduct. Any action taken is predicated on the good faith belief of Special Olympics Ontario that the disciplinary action is appropriate.
The following disciplinary actions may be taken:
• Issue a warning.
• Suspension from a school qualifier or qualifier(s)
• Suspension from school championships
• Suspension from further participation in any Special Olympics programs or activities
• Expulsion from further participation in any Special Olympics programs or activities.
Immediate Suspension
A person may be subject to immediate disciplinary action, including suspension, for conduct which, in Special Olympics’s sole and absolute discretion, is so inherently harmful as to warrant immediate action. Immediate disciplinary action, including suspension, may be imposed for any of the following:
a) Illegal Conduct
b) Behaviour Problems
c) Alcohol, Cannabis or Illegal Substance
d) Abuse