ABSTRACT
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) defines safe sport as “an athletic environment that is respectful, equitable, and free from all forms of non-accidental violence to athletes”. To achieve ‘safe sport’ for all athletes, the IOC has engaged in various activities. These are grouped into Games-time and non–Games-time initiatives. During the Olympic and Youth Olympic Games, the IOC implements education programmes on preventing non-accidental violence in sport and other athlete health and welfare issues. It has also developed a policy framework for the reporting and management of allegations. Outside of Games-time, IOC Consensus Statements and scientific publications are one means of documenting scientific literature on athlete safeguarding topics. There is also the publication of encyclopaedia and handbooks. Knowledge translation projects have been developed via educational online tools for athletes and coaches, as well as a toolkit for the development of athlete safeguarding procedures for international federations and national Olympic committees. Team physician educational initiatives range from global conferences to in-depth training courses and smaller clinics. The IOC also engages in research in targeted areas of athlete protection and supports research centres worldwide. The IOC shows leadership through these initiatives and encourages everyone in sport to share the responsibility to create ‘safe sport’.
