Following consultation with the Member Federations and IOF Athlete Representatives, the IOF Council has unanimously approved to open up for independent athlete participation in World Ranking Events through IIA status for eligible athletes. The approved scope for IIA status will come into effect on 1 July 2024.
One of the IOF’s 3 guiding values is “Inclusive”. Increasing the ability for individual athletes to participate in and develop orienteering is a key element of inclusivity. Under current IOF rules, participation is not allowed for athletes from countries where there is no national orienteering federation affiliated with the IOF. Also, athletes with a citizenship of a country where the Member Federation is suspended are not allowed to participate in IOF events.
The IOF recognizes the unique challenges faced by athletes unable to participate in IOF competitions due to circumstances beyond their control. Due to this a proposal to establish an IOF Independent Athlete (IIA) status has emerged – a status which athletes may apply for and which would allow them to participate in IOF sanctioned events. The approved scope for this status is only World Ranking Events in all disciplines, it does not apply to e.g. World/Regional/Junior/Masters/Youth Championships and World Cup events.
- The independent athlete system will provide an opening for participation by individual athletes from countries where there is currently no IOF member federation. This status could help in the development of athletes in these countries and support development efforts to gain additional IOF members.
- The independent athlete system will also provide an opening for participation by individual athletes that are not able to participate in IOF events due to the negative actions of their member federations, which they themselves do not condone. This status could help in supporting these athletes, many who may have refugee or other similar status from their home countries.
Several athletes in both situations have contacted the IOF asking for admission to participate in international competitions.
In the current situation, where the federations in Russia and Belarus are suspended for reasons other than not meeting their financial obligations to the IOF, athletes are only eligible for an IIA status if they reside outside of the member federation country. They must also meet a number of other requirements which are outlined below.
Athletes desiring to have IIA status must submit an application to the IOF Office by November 15 each year (1 July 2024 as a first option in 2024).
Requirements to have IOF Independent Athlete (IIA) Status
| Context | The application shall include: |
| Part 1: Applicable when the country of their passport does not have an IOF member. |
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| Part 2: Applicable when an IOF Member Federation is suspended for not meeting financial obligations. |
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| Part 3:
Applicable when an IOF Member Federation is suspended for reasons other than not meeting their financial obligations to the IOF. |
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IIA status is valid only for the current season/year and must be applied for annually. In any case the IIA status will not be granted for more than 5 consecutive years, barring extraordinary circumstances and only with the approval of the IOF Council or designee. IIA status will be revoked immediately if it is proven that changes in the athlete’s situation would mean that any of the above criteria are no longer met. Violation of the criteria of the IIA status will result in retroactive cancellation of World Ranking points and may be referred to the IOF Ethics Panel or Disciplinary Panel for further sanctions.
IIA athletes shall agree that upon their home membership federation regaining normal membership status, i.e. no longer being suspended, they shall return to the member federation and their IIA status is revoked. The same is valid for athletes from a non-IOF member country, i.e. that they agree to their IIA status being revoked to become a member of the new IOF member.
A template for athlete declaration will be published on IOF’s website by 1 June 2024.
Rights of an IOF Independent Athlete
- Athletes with IIA status shall have the right to enter IOF World Ranking Events in all disciplines, with full participation rights and protections. This includes the right to be awarded World Ranking points.
- Member federations of the IOF may restrict the participation of athletes with IIA status in World Ranking Events held in their country if such participation would be in conflict with national legal requirements.
Athletes shall be designated in Eventor, Start lists, Results lists etc as IOF Independent Athletes with the acronym IIA.
Questions related to the status can be addressed to IOF Secretary General Sondre Gullord