WOA supports IOC toolkit on safeguarding athletes

3 | 11 | 2017

World Olympians Association is backing a new toolkit that has been launched by International Olympic Committee to safeguard athletes from harassment and abuse in sport.

The toolkit, developed for International Federations and National Olympic Committees, provides sports organisations a set of principles and guidelines that they can use to safeguard the health and wellbeing of athletes.

Harassment and abuse in sport presents a serious risk to an athlete’s health, participation, performance and safety. It is hoped that the resource will help empower organisations to take affirmative steps, to help protect sport and all those who take part in it.

The toolkit has been developed in collaboration with more than 50 people from within the Olympic Movement, including a Virtual Task Force of IF and NOC representatives, the IOC prevention of harassment and abuse in sport working group, international experts in the field of athlete safeguarding and organisations both within and outside of the Olympic Movement such as ANOC, ASOIF, AOIWF and United Nations Women.

WOA President Joël Bouzou, said:

“We welcome any initiative that seeks to safeguard athletes in sport and wholeheartedly support the IOC’s efforts in this important area. Harassment and abuse in sport is unfortunately an issue that can affect athletes at all stages of their careers and we will continue to work with our Olympic family colleagues to confront the challenge head on for the sake of athletes everywhere.”

IOC Vice President, Dr Ugur Erdener, added:

“For the IOC and the whole Olympic Movement, the safety and wellbeing of athletes is paramount. With Olympic Agenda 2020, we have demonstrated our commitment to put the athletes at the heart of the Olympic Movement. This commitment includes supporting athletes on and off the field of play – recognising all the rights of athletes, including the right to enjoy a safe and supportive sports environment.

“We strongly believe that safeguarding athletes from harassment and abuse in sport should be the collective concern of us all. Harassment and abuse has no place in sport or in society. By standing together, with the athletes, we can make the world a better and safer place for us all.”

The toolkit can be accessed via the Olympic Athletes Hub, and is supported by the IOC Athlete Safeguarding e-learning course, for athletes and entourage members, on the Athlete Learning Gateway, which was released last month.

Image credit : IOC