The Olympic Movement is taking a leading role in the strengthening of safeguarding across sport, highlighted by the creation of the IOC Working Group on Safeguarding in March 2023. For all stakeholders involved in sport, ensuring that athletes, coaches and officials are able to practice, play and thrive in an environment free from harassment and abuse is a critical issue.

NOCs and International Federations already have a number of systems and processes in place, some more stringent than others.

The EOC are hosting their a Safeguarding in Sport workshop in Brussels between 6 and 8 March, which follows on from similar initiatives hosted by the OCA and ANOCA on safeguarding best practice and the power of collaboration. 

The IOC Working Group’s focus has been on strengthening existing structures already in place to protect athletes and filling in resource gaps that exist, with a focus on the grass roots level upwards. This has been showcased by the creation of two regional safeguarding hubs in Africa and the Pacific Islands with a European one to follow.

Furthermore, the Working Group is composed of representatives from IFs, NOCs and athletes, some of whom are survivors of sexual abuse or harassment within sport. Ensuring that the group has members with different backgrounds and experiences of safeguarding, and a framework that is already in place, has helped with the effectiveness of its plans in its first year.  

There has been significant and recognisable progress in providing safe environments for athletes across the globe, but there are still giant steps that need to be taken. It is only by all working together and collaborating that we can create conditions where all athletes, coaches and officials are able to thrive free from harassment and abuse. We must not lose focus of this crucial and critical goal.

Mrs Liz Dawson

A leader in sport and governance, New Zealander Liz Dawson is President of the NZOC, Co -Chair of the ONOC Equity Commission, a member of the ANOC Gender Equality Commission and of the IOC Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commission. Mrs Dawson led the participation of Oceania NOCs at the Regional Safeguarding Skills Building Workshop, designed as a pilot programme taking participants beyond talk to actively work towards a safer, more inclusive environment. She is a powerful advocate for the benefits of sport for all and was awarded an IOC Women in Sport Diploma in 2021.

1 -  WHAT DOES SAFEGUARDING IN SPORT MEAN TO YOU? 

Safeguarding in Sport is so important. It aims to prevent and respond to physical, emotional or sexual harm. It’s about identifying and avoiding situations that pose risk, making sure support networks are in place and about responding with the right resources.

From sexual or physical assault right through to interactions or environments that undermine a young person’s sense of self, worth or purpose, safeguarding processes and practices protect everyone’s ability to achieve their best, through sport and without fear.  Safeguarding in Sport is also about making sure the pathway to participation remains open through ensuring the environment is inclusive, fun and safe.

It was so positive and heartening to work with the IOC recently on solving a practical example of safeguarding risk. New Zealand had a very small number of athletes taking part in the alpine skiing at Gangwon Youth Olympic Games. With so few athletes and support staff, it became apparent that the rooming allocations could result in young athletes needing to share a room with adult support staff.

With a safeguarding lens, this is a risky situation for both parties. We collaborated with the IOC and were able to take steps to ensure age and gender appropriate room allocations could occur. 

2 -  WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO NOCS?

It’s wonderful to see how many NOCs are acknowledging the importance of Safeguarding and the very real difference it can make.

Education is the first step. We need to understand what risks exist and what practical steps we can take to respond. I’d recommend the IOC Safeguarding Toolkit as a great place to start. It’s also important for NOCs to appoint a Safeguarding Officer and enrol them in a Safeguarding Officer Training.

I’d also recommend that NOCs understand the resources available to them and their athletes to draw on when responding to a safeguarding issue. No individual within an NOC will have all the resources available to solve a problem, but what they can do is reach out to those that can help. From medical, wellbeing or psychology services, integrity organisations, the police or legal services, each country or region will have their own resources to draw on.

Policies and processes are also important. All staff should be empowered to know what to do if they come across a risk or are advised of an issue. 

Finally, it is of utmost importance that NOCs can take anyone who has identified a risk or issue seriously and ensure they are provided with wrap-around protection. This could be protection from the perpetrators, others in the community or even the media. It’s important that we all understand that in responding to an issue we have a real opportunity to have make change that will truly benefit lives in and through sport. 

3 -  HOW IMPORTANT IS IT THAT WE FOCUS ON SAFEGUARDING AT THE GRASSROOTS LEVEL RATHER THAN ELITE SPORT? 

It’s hugely important that grassroots sport is safe, inclusive and fun. Grassroots sport is where it all begins and where we have the most benefit on society. If grassroots sport is not safe, inclusive and fun, fewer people will engage in sport, and the benefits of sport will be minimised.

In addition, the pathway to elite sports begins at grassroots and practices and behaviours flow through. If we want elite sport to be safe, it’s important we also promote Safeguarding in Sport at grassroots level too.

As NOCs, we want everyone to have an opportunity to be involved in sport. It’s good for communities and builds friendships, relationships, physical and mental wellbeing. All of this is put at risk if sport is not a safe and enjoyable space. 

It will then be Wylleman’s responsibility to coordinate and collaborate with the Safeguarding Officer and the performance sport psychologists who will also act as first points of contact for delegation members on aspects of safeguarding and mental health. 

On each case, decisions will be taken on whether more information is needed and whether consultation with experts is required which can include the IOC Safeguarding Officers in the Olympic Village. Based upon the recommendations formulated byWylleman, the Chef de Mission will prioritize each case and follow up measures will be implemented on a case by case basis.

At the recent webinar on the role of the NOC Welfare Officer at Paris 2024 co-hosted by Team Belgium and ANOC, Wylleman emphasizes that the 50 NOCs in attendance demonstrated  “a great willingness to implement the approaches of welfare and safeguarding but also a clear need for more information.”

While there remain questions about these initiatives, whether the remit should be expanded to include all members of the Olympic team, and how to ensure a holistic perspective to the health of delegation members is required, Wylleman is confident Paris 2024 will provide invaluable experience. 

“It is clear that the 2024 Paris Olympic Games will certainly provide experiences which will allow the IOC and the NOCs to optimize the requirements, the responsibilities and the functioning of the NOC Welfare Officer and the Safeguarding Officer,” he concludes.

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