Through the agreement, the COP recognises the importance of the ICSS in issues relating to integrity, security and safety, with particular relation to the organisation's technical experience in safeguarding sport and in the exchange of information, knowledge gathering and best practice across these areas.

"Today is a very important day for the COP and Portuguese sport," said José Manuel Constantino, President of the COP.

"This agreement with the ICSS is the starting point to develop a new model to address integrity issues in sport.

"At the COP, we recognise the prestige of the ICSS - a leading organisation in the sports world - and it is an honour to work together with them to address new threats that face the sports movement."

The agreement was signed by ICSS President Mohammed Hanzab and his counterpart at the COP José Manuel Constantino ©ICSS



The parties will work together to further the work of the COP in promoting and safeguarding the Olympic values and to consider greater focus on youth-exchange programmes which aim to empower and educate youth through sport.

These efforts will be promoted through the Save the Dream programme, a joint initiative of the ICSS and the Qatar Olympic Committee.

"The work of the COP to promote sporting values and educate the young people goes hand-in-hand with the core values of the ICSS," said Mohammed Hanzab, President of the ICSS.

"As part of the ICSS's ongoing work and commitment to the international sports community, one of the central aims of the Save the Dream programme is to educate young people about the importance of fair competition and integrity in sport.

"This new agreement signed today with the COP will be an important step forward for the ICSS and I hope that this will provide a platform for future partnerships with other National Olympic Committees over the next few months."

Constantino added: "This agreement between COP and the ICSS is in the best interests of sport and the Olympic spirit.

"I anticipate that as we work together to promote the highest standards of integrity, safety and security, what will result will be a number of positive initiatives that will benefit players and ultimately, society."

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