Safeguarding remains at the heart of international sport, and that message came through strongly at a recent global webinar organised by the International Olympic Academy Participants Association (IOAPA) and Ignitx. The event brought together participants from five continents, including athletes, coaches, referees and sports officials, to reflect on how sport can continue to be a safe and inclusive space for all. The mix of voices and perspectives showed just how universal this issue is, no matter where in the world sport is being played.
An opening message that resonated throughout the session was: “Sports should remain an inclusive place for everyone. As a global community, it is our responsibility to uphold the foundations of safe sports.”
This call to action framed the discussion and reminded everyone present that safeguarding is not an optional or secondary issue, but a cornerstone of fair, respectful and sustainable sport.
The conversation began with a simple but powerful question: “What is safeguarding in sport?” Attendees responded with a wide range of answers, including creating a safe environment, protecting vulnerable individuals, promoting learning, and ensuring respect and wellbeing. This exchange set the tone for the webinar, showing that while safeguarding can be interpreted in many ways, it always comes back to protecting and respecting everyone who takes part in sport.
The programme featured three speakers; Daniela Negreda, Andreja McQuarrie and Michael Kwiatkowski who brought extensive expertise and practical experience to the discussion. They emphasised the need for a universal language and shared frameworks on safeguarding, making clear that consistent global standards are crucial to protecting athletes at every level. One key message that stood out was that all transgressive behaviours are as severe and deserving of concern. It was a reminder that safeguarding isn’t just about addressing extreme cases, it’s also about recognising the smaller behaviours that, if ignored, can undermine the safety and wellbeing of participants.
The webinar included an interactive “myth or fact” activity, which challenged participants to reflect on common misconceptions and rethink how safeguarding should be applied in practice. This dynamic approach prompted valuable conversations and gave attendees the opportunity to actively test and expand their knowledge. This activity was a reminder that safeguarding isn’t only about policy documents, it’s about how we think, act and learn together.
United Through Sports was proud to take part in this webinar. For us, inclusivity and safety in sport are optional extras but essential values and constructs. Our work is rooted in the belief that every young person and athlete deserves to participate in an environment built on fairness, trust and protection. Attending events such as this webinar reinforces our commitment to listening, learning and contributing to the wider safeguarding conversation.
Thank you to IOAPA and Ignitx for delivering a webinar that reinforced safeguarding in sport is a shared responsibility and commitment that belongs to the entire sporting community. By bringing together voices from around the world, the event reminded us that collective effort, shared understanding and a willingness to act are the tools needed to ensure that sport remains a safe and inclusive place for all.
Visit IGNITX Website: https://ignitx.events/
Visit International Olympic Academy Participants Association Website: https://ioapa.org/
