Integrity has become a central theme in physical activity and sport policy, both in Finland and internationally. Beyond doping, ethical challenges now span competition manipulation, spectator safety, harassment, and broader discrimination. The landscape is evolving rapidly, demanding new strategies to protect fairness, trust, and inclusivity in sports.
The study, commissioned by the National Sports Council, examined the promotion of ethical issues related to sport and physical activity in Finland and included an evaluation of the activities of the Finnish Center for Integrity in Sports, FINCIS. The evaluation was carried out between January and August 2025 by 4FRONT.
The evaluation found that Finland benefits from transparent governance, strong compliance with international rules, significant expertise in anti-doping, a wide array of training activities, and alignment with the international trend toward centralized integrity model.
At the same time, the study identified areas for improvement. Overlapping responsibilities among different actors create ambiguity, supervisory powers need to be strengthened to deal with violations effectively, preventive measures should be reinforced to address risks early, and national coordination must be enhanced for a more unified approach. A central recommendation is the creation of a national operating model that clarifies responsibilities, especially in the investigation of ethical breaches and in the promotion of broader integrity issues.
The evaluation confirmed FINCIS as a reliable and cooperative actor, particularly in implementing international conventions. Its expertise in anti-doping is widely recognised as world-class, but its wider role in addressing ethical violations, manipulation of competition, and spectator safety is less clearly defined. To fulfill its broader mandate, FINCIS requires adequate competence and resources across all areas, a clarified legal status with stronger authority in investigations, stable long-term funding, and more systematic government steering.
Evaluation report (in Finnish): Eettisesti kestävää liikuntaa ja urheilua. Arviointi liikunnan ja urheilun eettisten asioiden edistämisestä Suomessa sekä Suomen urheilun eettisestä keskuksesta (SUEK)
Picture: Unplash
