On April 18, 2024, World Skate hosted a crucial webinar addressing one of the most serious threats facing modern sports: competition manipulation.
Understanding the Risk
Laura Valle, Awareness Raising Officer from the Olympic Movement Unit on the Prevention of the Manipulation of Competitions, led athletes through the realities of match-fixing and betting-related corruption—issues that can compromise the integrity of any sport, including skateboarding. "Competition manipulation has become a real threat for sport integrity," Valle explained. "It's essential that all athletes know how to recognize the phenomenon and react to it."
What Athletes Learned
The session covered three critical areas: What is Competition Manipulation? Athletes gained a clear understanding of how manipulation works, the various forms it can take, and why it's more prevalent than many realize.
How Can It Affect Skateboarding? The webinar explored specific scenarios relevant to skateboarding competitions, helping athletes identify vulnerable moments and suspicious approaches.
How to React: Code of Conduct Athletes learned their rights and responsibilities, including where to report suspicions and how World Skate's Code of Conduct protects both them and the sport.
The Sports Betting Connection
A significant portion of the webinar focused on the risks associated with sports betting—an area where athletes are often targeted by those seeking to manipulate results. Understanding these risks is the first line of defense in protecting career integrity and the sport's reputation.
Safeguarding the Future
By equipping athletes with knowledge and clear reporting protocols, World Skate is taking proactive steps to maintain the authenticity and fairness that define competitive roller sports.
In an era where sports betting is increasingly accessible, education remains the most powerful tool for prevention.
Athletes who missed the webinar can access resources on competition manipulation through their National Federations or contact World Skate directly for guidance on maintaining sport integrity.