Today, 8 August, marks “Safe Sport Day” – an important reminder to make sport safe for everyone and to spread the word about the International Safeguards for Children in Sport. This foundational framework is aimed at helping organisations, which either work directly with children in sport or have a governance capacity, create a respectful, fair and secure sporting environment through eight commitments.
In June, the Gymnastics Ethics Foundation (GEF) officially signed the pledge to promote and advocate for the International Safeguards for Children in Sport through its network, and to embed them in its work.
To strengthen the safeguarding of athletes and other participants in gymnastics from harassment and abuse is the Foundation’s raison d’être and expertise. An independent body, the GEF has put in place a permanent and confidential reporting mechanism and acts as an impartial investigator and arbiter. Thereby, it is implementing the International Safeguards on a daily basis and also helps National Federations to set up robust policies and procedures in this critical field.
Having taken the pledge also reflects the Foundation’s efforts to collaborate with other expert organisations which is essential to promote new developments and provide greater visibility for key safeguarding issues. This is the spirit of Safe Sport Day, recalling that the International Safeguards were developed ten years ago by a partnership of governmental entities, organisations and academics. Since then, more than 100 organisations from across the world have taken the pledge to keep children safe in sport.
Watch a clip, outlining the GEF’s mission and support services for the gymnastics community in less than 90 seconds.
If you’d like to learn more details about the Foundation’s work, please consult the Foundation’s Annual Report 2021
