The Global Aerial Power Athletics Federation (GAPAF) recognises athletes as the central participants and beneficiaries of sport.

Every athlete participating in GAPAF activities should be treated with dignity, respect and fairness and should have the opportunity to develop and compete in an environment that supports safety, integrity and sporting excellence.

GAPAF is committed to promoting and protecting fundamental athlete rights throughout its sporting activities.

OUR COMMITMENT TO ATHLETES

GAPAF seeks to ensure that athletes are treated fairly and responsibly at every stage of their sporting journey.

Our approach is based on:

DIGNITY

Every athlete deserves to be treated with respect and without humiliation or abuse.

FAIRNESS

Athletes should have access to fair and transparent sporting procedures.

SAFETY

Athlete health, physical safety and well-being are fundamental priorities.

EQUALITY

Athletes should have equal opportunities within applicable sporting rules and eligibility requirements.

INTEGRITY

Athletes have the right to participate in sport based on honest and ethical competition.

RESPECT

Athletes, coaches, judges, officials and sporting organisations should maintain a respectful sporting environment.

FUNDAMENTAL ATHLETE RIGHTS

Subject to applicable GAPAF statutes, regulations and competition rules, athletes participating in GAPAF activities should have the right to:

1. RESPECT AND DIGNITY

Every athlete has the right to be treated with dignity, courtesy and respect.

No athlete should be subjected to discrimination, harassment, intimidation, abuse or degrading treatment within the sporting environment.

2. FAIR COMPETITION

Athletes have the right to participate in competitions conducted according to clear and consistently applied sporting rules.

Competition procedures should be administered fairly and professionally.

3. SAFETY AND WELL-BEING

Athletes have the right to participate in an environment where appropriate attention is given to safety, risk management, equipment and responsible sporting practice.

GAPAF promotes appropriate safety standards for training and competition.

4. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Athletes should have access to sporting opportunities without unlawful discrimination.

Participation remains subject to applicable eligibility requirements, competition categories and sporting regulations.

5. CLEAR INFORMATION

Athletes should have access to relevant information concerning:

• competition rules;
• eligibility requirements;
• registration procedures;
• schedules;
• judging and scoring principles;
• safety requirements;
• applicable disciplinary procedures;
• athlete responsibilities.

Clear information contributes to confidence, fairness and transparency.

6. FAIR AND IMPARTIAL JUDGING

Athletes have the right to expect that their performances will be evaluated according to applicable competition rules and established judging criteria.

Judges and officials are expected to act professionally, impartially and responsibly.

7. PRIVACY AND RESPONSIBLE USE OF INFORMATION

Athletes have the right to appropriate protection and responsible handling of their personal information in accordance with applicable laws, regulations and GAPAF policies.

Athlete photographs, competition results and other sporting information should be handled responsibly and for legitimate sporting purposes.

8. FREEDOM FROM ABUSE AND HARASSMENT

GAPAF does not support abuse, harassment, bullying, intimidation or other inappropriate conduct within the sporting environment.

Athletes should be able to raise concerns through appropriate channels without fear of retaliation.

9. CLEAN SPORT

Athletes have the right to participate in clean and fair sport.

GAPAF supports applicable anti-doping principles and encourages athletes and sporting organisations to understand and comply with relevant anti-doping requirements.

10. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Athletes should have opportunities to develop their sporting knowledge, technical abilities and competitive experience.

GAPAF supports education and development programmes that contribute to long-term athlete development.

ATHLETE RESPONSIBILITIES

Athlete rights are accompanied by responsibilities.

GAPAF expects athletes participating in its activities to:

• respect competition rules;
• demonstrate fair play;
• respect judges, officials, coaches and other athletes;
• follow applicable safety requirements;
• maintain professional conduct;
• respect anti-doping requirements;
• provide accurate information during registration;
• respect the integrity of competitions;
• contribute positively to the sporting environment.

A strong sporting community depends on both rights and shared responsibility.

ATHLETE VOICE AND PARTICIPATION

GAPAF recognises the importance of athlete participation in the development of sport.

The Federation encourages appropriate opportunities for athletes to provide feedback, share experience and contribute constructively to the improvement of sporting programmes and competition standards.

Athlete perspectives can help strengthen the quality, safety and relevance of the sport.

RAISING A CONCERN

An athlete who has a legitimate concern regarding safety, discrimination, harassment, competition procedures, judging, misconduct or another sporting matter should have access to an appropriate reporting or communication channel.

GAPAF encourages concerns to be raised respectfully and through established procedures.

Reports and complaints should be handled responsibly, fairly and, where appropriate, confidentially.

Detailed procedures for complaints, appeals, disciplinary matters and safeguarding may be established through the relevant GAPAF regulations and policies.

PROTECTION OF YOUNG ATHLETES

Young athletes require particular care and protection.

GAPAF supports responsible approaches to youth participation that prioritise:

• safety;
• well-being;
• age-appropriate training;
• qualified supervision;
• respectful treatment;
• responsible competition;
• long-term development.

The interests and welfare of young athletes should remain a fundamental consideration in all youth sporting activities.

FAIR PLAY AND SPORTING INTEGRITY

Athlete rights are inseparable from the integrity of sport.

GAPAF encourages every athlete and sporting professional to uphold the principles of:

FAIR PLAY

HONESTY

RESPECT

RESPONSIBILITY

INTEGRITY

PROFESSIONALISM

These principles help create a sporting environment in which athletes can compete with confidence and pride.

OUR COMMITMENT

GAPAF is committed to continuing the development of policies, procedures and educational initiatives that support athlete rights and welfare. The Federation will work with athletes, national federations, clubs, coaches, judges, technical officials and other sporting partners to promote a safe, fair, respectful and professional sporting environment. The protection of athletes is not only a responsibility of the Federation. It is a shared responsibility of the entire sporting community.

ATHLETES FIRST. SPORT WITH INTEGRITY.

Global Aerial Power Athletics Federation — GAPAF