‘No sex or drugs on Facebook’

Commonwealth Games athletes warned about social media use.

On the eve of the Commonwealth Games, Kiwi athletes have been reminded to “respect the black singlet” on social media.

Obligations listed in Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games agreements state athletes and support staff must not present themselves “in any way on social media that brings into question the high performance attitude of you or the team. This includes . . . posting offensive or inappropriate material”.

Examples included “photos, videos, comments or posts showing the personal use of alcohol or drugs; photos, videos, posts or comments of a sexual nature; pictures, videos, comments or posts that condone excessive alcohol use and other inappropriate activities”.

New Zealand Olympic Committee social media guidelines spell out how important it is to “respect the black singlet”. “Before putting anything online, think of whether it will detract from the wider team’s high performance focus or your role as a high performance athlete.”

A spokesperson said: “All team members, athletes and support staff, sign the team agreements and they are reminded of these obligations at workshops, in written communications and at an induction briefing.”

NZOC digital manager Alex Spence said it was “extremely important that athletes are aware there are social media guidelines and policies”. But an emphasis was on education. “When social media first started people used it more from a personal point of view,” Spence said.

Now athletes were also using it “from a brand point of view”.

The NZ Olympic Team’s Facebook page has about 300,000 followers. Combined with individual athletes’ followers, the social media reach during the Commonwealth Games, April 4-15, is expected to hit the millions.

Meanwhile, commitment to athletes’ welfare has been stressed.

Asked in light of #MeToo about policies on sexual relations between team members or with support staff, an NZOC spokesperson said: “The objective is to create an environment that is safe and secure and without harassment, bullying or abuse of any kind. This includes sexual harassment or abuse.

“We don’t regulate who has ‘sexual relations’ with whom, and the New Zealand and Australian laws apply to all team members and support staff.”

Kereyn Smith, CEO New Zealand Olympic Committee, said the culture it supported rested on values of excellence, respect and integrity.

“Lack of respect or harassment of any kind has no place within the New Zealand team.”