Athlete Welfare and Safe Sport

The International Olympic Committee recognises that sport may be the context for the abuse and neglect of adult/child athletes. However, sport is often perceived as positive and behaviours that may threaten athlete’s welfare are minimised, making it difficult for people to identify unsafe practice. By exploring current practice, policy, and research, this module prompts critical discussion of athlete welfare and the challenges faced by the sport sector in promoting and delivering ‘safe sport’.

Concerns over organisations’ responsibilities to athletes, tensions between coaches and athletes, abuse and exploitation, equality advocacy, technology progression and financial and employment insecurity in the sector, have raised awareness of the importance of welfare as a fundamental part of working in sport. Indeed, sports organisations have a legal and moral duty of care to deliver a safe sports environment, promote positive sport practices and work to mitigate and manage potential harm. Globally, organisations have begun to acknowledge their responsibilities for safe sport. For example, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) now recognises that sport may be the context for the abuse and neglect of adult and child athletes. This may result in violence, bullying, disordered eating, overtraining/injury, and withdrawal from sport. However, sport is often perceived as positive and behaviours that may threaten athlete’s welfare are minimised as ‘a normal part of sport’, making it difficult for people (i.e., administrators, coaches, athletes, parents, spectators) to identify unsafe practice. By exploring current practice, policy, and research, this module prompts critical discussion of athlete welfare and the challenges faced by the sport sector in promoting and delivering ‘safe sport’. The focus is both national and international and will provide opportunities for students to examine and critically discuss the current system and consider possibilities for change.