Triathlon Canada Code of Conduct

Adopted: July 1996

NOTE the link above is to the current Code of Conduct on the Triathlon Canada website and shall be considered correct in any discrepancies

NOTE RTC Vancouver participants are expected to abide by this code of conduct as outlined in section 1.2 (d)

Team Membership

1.1 The provisions of this Bylaw II, Code of Conduct, Discipline and Complaints, apply to all National Team Members.

1.2 National Team Membership includes individuals who are athlete members of any of the following teams:

(a) age-group team

(b) junior team;

(c) elite team

(d) RTC squads.

1.3 National Team members shall be made aware of the Code of Conduct and their obligations upon joining the National Team.

1.4 Additional rules of conduct may apply to members of the junior team and the elite team. Members of these teams shall be notified of these rules and expectations in a separate document and are required to abide by these rules provided reasonable notice of the rules is given to the members.

1.5 The Code of Conduct and disciplinary procedures apply to athletes competing as part of the National Team at World Championships, World Cup and Grand Prix events.

Code of Conduct

2.1 The CODE OF CONDUCT states:

(a) Athletes shall conduct themselves in a sporting manner.

(b) Athletes shall behave in a responsible, respectful, and courteous manner towards team members, competitors, coaches, staff, officials, volunteers and members of the public while at competitions and while traveling.

(c) Athletes shall not commit any act which would be considered an offense under federal or provincial law or the laws of the country in which the event takes place (insofar as they can reasonably be expected to be aware of those laws).

(d) Athletes shall conduct themselves in a manner consistent with commitment to excellence in athletic competition including respect for quiet hours and appropriate treatment of alcohol.

(e) Athletes shall respect private property such as accommodation.

(f) Athletes shall be aware of and abide by the current provisions of doping prohibitions adopted by Triathlon Canada and the International Triathlon Union.

2.2 Contravention of the Code of Conduct may result in any one or more of the following sanctions:

(a) written reprimand;

(b) suspension from the current competition;

(c) suspension from the team for a specified period of time;

(d) fine;

(e) probationary terms and conditions.

2.3 The management and coaching staff of Triathlon Canada may use reasonable discretion in interpreting the above.

Disciplinary procedure

3.1 The Triathlon Canada Board of Directors, the Director of National Teams, National Team Managers and National Team Coaches have the authority in accordance with this section to impose reasonable disciplinary measures on athletes who do not adhere to the Code of Conduct. Possible disciplinary action as stated in section 2.2 includes a written reprimand, suspension from the current competition, suspension from the team for a specified period of time, a fine, and/or the imposition of probationary terms and conditions.

3.2 When a disciplinary action is being considered, the athlete shall receive notification of the following:

(a) the specific circumstances leading to the consideration of the disciplinary action;

(b) steps that can be taken to remedy the situation and a reasonable period of time during which those steps may be taken, if applicable (for example, verbal or written apology, payment of costs);

(c) information on the probable penalties.

3.3 Except where exceptional circumstances prevail, notification under section 3.2 shall be given in writing. In exceptional circumstances, where restrictions of time and place require, notification may be given verbally. Whenever possible the athlete shall be provided an opportunity to present his/her view prior to the decision, either orally or in writing.

3.4 Whenever possible, a disciplinary measure should be the result of a decision by a discipline committee of three people from among the Board of Directors, Director of National Teams, National Team Managers or the National Team Coaches.

3.5 The athlete shall be advised of the decision and reasons therefore promptly, and shall be advised of the appeal process available.

3.6 When necessary, due to urgency or constraints of time or distance, a discipline committee or authorized personnel may issue a written reprimand or suspend an athlete from the current competition without written or verbal notification to the athlete. In such cases, a full written report must be prepared by the committee or person issuing the sanction and submitted to the President within five days. The appeal process remains available to the athlete.

3.7 In all cases of disciplinary action, the penalty imposed shall reflect the seriousness of the offense.

3.8 The athlete has the right to appeal a disciplinary action imposed on him/her in accordance with Bylaw #3, Appeal Procedure. It is expressly recognized that an appeal may not be possible prior to an athlete’s removal from an event.

Concerns and Complaints

4.1 If an athlete has a concern or complaint relating to a member of the National Team staff or fellow National team athlete, the athlete or athlete’s representative shall utilize the process set out in this Part to resolve that issue.

4.2 The athlete or athlete’s representative shall contact the President of his/her provincial association for assistance with the resolution of the problem within thirty days after the issue arose. The athlete shall complete and file Form A (or equivalent written explanation of the issue) with the provincial President (or person assigned responsibility by the provincial President for such matters). The provincial President or designate shall endeavor to resolve the issue to the satisfaction of the athlete within 30 days of being contacted.

4.3 In the event that the provincial President or designate fails to assist the Athlete with the resolution of the problem within 30 days of receiving notice under 4.2, and no later than 90 days from the date the issue arose, the Athlete may contact one of the following Officers of the Board of Directors directly for assistance with the resolution of the problem: President or any Vice President. The athlete shall complete and file Form A (or equivalent written explanation of the issue) with the Officer. The Officer shall endeavour to resolve the issue to the satisfaction of the athlete within 30 days of being contacted.

4.4 In the event that the problem cannot be resolved to the satisfaction of the Athlete, the Provincial President or designate or Officer of the Board of Directors may request that the President of Triathlon Canada appoint a committee of three disinterested members from among the Board of Directors, on an ad hoc basis, to make a decision or otherwise resolve the issue. The Committee shall have the same powers as a discipline committee under 2.2

4.5 In developing its recommendations the ad hoc committee shall:

(a) allow the athlete the opportunity to supply any additional material he/she considers relevant, within 30 days;

(b) forward the athlete’s submission to interested (that is, affected) parties and allow them 30 days to respond;

(c) allow the athlete a further 15 days to respond to the information received from the interested parties.

4.6 The committee may hear oral submissions through a telephone conference all or, if practical, in person.

4.7 The committee shall either report the resolution of the matter or report its decision to the President and notify the parties involved.

4.8 Where the ad hoc committee determines that sanctions are appropriate, the party sanctioned has the right to the appeal process.

4.9 The time periods may be abridged by mutual consent.