Board approves Good Sportsmanship Enforcement Procedures
The HISI Board of Directors approved two new policies to support repectful competitions by preserving good sportsmanship among all our participants at our meets. At the center of the mission of USA Swimming and Hawaiian Swimming is developing champions by providing competitions that uphold integrity, respect and fairness. Fair play in our competitiions means not only well run competitions but developing personal character built on respect for one's competitors and all those involved in the sport of swimming.
The new section in the Policies and Procedures Manual - Section 15.08 Good Sportsmanship Behavior.
Section 15.08 Good Sportsmanship Behavior
15.08.1 Overview
Procedures are established to ensure a safe and appropriate environment and good
sportsmanship for all participants including athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, and
spectators.
15.08.2 Athletes
USA Swimming and Hawaiian Swimming promotes good sportsmanship behavior between athletes, coaches, officials and spectators. Profanity, racial or ethnic comments, or other intimidating actions by athletes directed to other athletes, coaches, officials, team representatives, facility staff, and spectators will not be tolerated. In addition, possession and consumption of tobacco, alcohol, or illegal drugs or any products are prohibited. The following are the consequences for violation of good sportsmanship behavior.
Level 1) Outburst (e.g. heard by others) of profanity and/or display of inappropriate physical action (e.g. throwing caps, goggles, other light objects) will result in warning to maintain good sportsmanship and may result in immediate disqualification from the event.
Level 2) Violation of good sportsmanship behavior, or repeat of Level 1 violation, shall require immediate removal from the competition site. Removing an athlete from a meet doesn’t interfere with the athlete’s Ted Steven’s act of participation. Additional review of incident may require supplemental action referenced in Level 3 below.
Level 3) Review of the violation and severity of behavior may lead to a ban of the athlete(s) from future participation at any HISI events a minimum of two (2) months to a maximum of one (1) year. In addition, the athlete(s) may be reinstated to participate in HISI events following a meeting and approval with the HISI Executive Board.
15.08.3 Coaches
USA Swimming and Hawaiian Swimming promotes good sportsmanship behavior between athletes, coaches, officials and spectators. Profanity, racial or ethnic comments, or other intimidating actions by coaches directed to other coaches, athletes, officials, team representatives, facility staff, and spectators will not be tolerated. In addition, possession and consumption of tobacco, alcohol, or illegal drugs or any products are prohibited. The following are the consequences for violation of good sportsmanship behavior.
Level 1) Outburst (e.g. heard by others) of profanity and/or display of inappropriate physical action (e.g. throwing objects) will be warned to maintain good sportsmanship.
Level 2) Violation of good sportsmanship behavior, or repeat of Level 1 violation, shall require immediate removal from the competition site. Additional review of incident may require supplemental action referenced in Level 3 below.
Level 3) Review of the violation and severity of behavior may lead to a ban of the Coach from future participation at any HISI event a minimum two (2) months to a maximum of one (1) year. In addition, the coach may be reinstated to participate in HISI events following a meeting and approval with the HISI Executive Board.
15.08.4 Officials
USA Swimming and Hawaiian Swimming promotes good sportsmanship behavior between athletes, coaches, officials and spectators. Profanity, racial or ethnic comments, or other intimidating actions by officials directed to other officials, coaches, athletes, team representatives, facility staff, and spectators will not be tolerated. In addition, possession and consumption of tobacco, alcohol, or illegal drugs or any products are prohibited. The following are the consequences for violation of good sportsmanship behavior.
Level 1) Outburst (e.g. heard by others) of profanity and/or display of inappropriate physical action (e.g. throwing objects) will be warned to maintain good sportsmanship.
Level 2) Violation of good sportsmanship behavior, or repeat of Level 1 violation, shall require immediate removal from the competition site. Additional review of incident may require supplemental action referenced in Level 3 below.
Level 3) Review of the violation and severity of behavior may lead to a ban of the Coach from future participation at any HISI event a minimum two (2) months to a maximum of one (1) year. In addition, the official may be reinstated to participate in HISI events following a meeting and approval with the HISI Executive Board.
15.08.5 Spectators or non-HISI registered Attendees
USA Swimming and Hawaiian Swimming promotes good sportsmanship behavior between athletes, coaches, officials and spectators. Profanity, racial or ethnic comments, or other intimidating actions by officials directed to other officials, coaches, athletes, team representatives, facility staff, and spectators will not be tolerated. In addition, possession and consumption of tobacco, alcohol, or illegal drugs or any products are prohibited. The following are the consequences for violation of good sportsmanship behavior.
Violation of good sportsmanship behavior may necessitate immediate removal from the competition site. Additional review of incident may require supplemental action including a ban of the person from future attendance of any HISI event for a minimum of two (2) months to a maximum of one (1) year. In addition, the person may be reinstated to attend a HISI event following a meeting and approval with the HISI Executive Board.
It also authorized including a statement of good sportmanship in the meet announcement that is to read at the beginning of the meet. It reads:
A fair and safe competition has always been the goal of our rules and regulations, but specific behaviors inconsistent with those goals have been largely undefined and consequences have been unclear and often left to the interpretation of our officials and meet personnel. There is little specific guidance for appropriate action when individuals or teams have acted outside the good sportmanship norms. SafeSport has outlined in great detail bullying and abusive behavior and how to deal with such negative behavior. However, specific actions that undermine the integrity of the sport, show lack of respect for your fellow competitors, coaches, officials and volunteers at swim meets (i.e., cheering or language that becomes an attack on the dignity of a competitor), or actions that undermine the fairness of the meet for competitors or teams have not been as clearly defined.
"Integrity of the sport" is undermined when we reduce our competitor to an "obstacle" rather than a fellow human being. Examples include: taunting, trash-talking that dehumanizes; mocking opponents after mistakes; celebrations intended to humiliate; targeting weaker players to embarrass rather than compete; and using racial, gendered, or identity-based slurs. Sport assumes mutual recognition of dignity. Without respect for the opponent, competition becomes domination.
"Integrity of the sport" is undermined when we attack officials who are the guardians of the meet's fairness. Harassing or threatening officials; intimidating and pressuring officials to try to influence calls; refusing to accept legitimate decisions; all these undermine trust in the process of adjudication and the competition loses its legitimacy even when everyone competes well.
A simple test for integrity of the sport:
Would this still feel acceptable if:
Everyone did it?
It happened to my own team?
It were shown publicly as an example of what this sport stands for?
If the answer is “no,” the action likely undermines the integrity of the sport—even if it’s technically within the rules.
