WBSC to have three IOC certified Safeguarding Officers

WBSC to have three IOC certified Safeguarding Officers
27/05/2022
Athletes Commission members Randolph Oduber and Erika Polidori and Commission liaison Amy Park completed the IOC course and will graduate later this year.

Athletes Commission members Randolph Oduber and Erika Polidori and Commission liaison Amy Park are the first WBSC officers to become certified International Olympic Committee (IOC) Safeguarding Officers.

This IOC certificate is the first of its kind. The course covered information about the policies, procedures, systems and structures which need to be put in place to best respond to reported concerns about athlete safeguarding and protection following an athlete-centred approach and how these fit with the roles and responsibilities of statutory agencies.

The international programme of study in Safeguarding in Sport was organised under the auspices of the IOC's Medical and Scientific Commission.

The program directors were managing director of Sports Rights Solutions, IOC Safe Sport Consultant and IOC Deputy Safeguarding Officer Kirsty Burrows (UK), IOC Medical Programmes Senior Manager, Medical & Scientific Department and IOC Safeguarding Officer Susan Greinig (UK) and Chair of Safe Sport International Anne Tiivas (UK).

The IOC announced that the graduation ceremony is scheduled for 12 September at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The role of Safeguarding Officers has been central to the mission of the WBSC Integrity Unit, chaired by WBSC Secretary General Beng Choo Low.

"The WBSC Statutes clearly state that all athletes in WBSC-sanctioned international competitions have the right to participate in safe sport," Choo Low said. "It means being able to compete and train in a respectful environment free from all forms of discrimination, harassment and abuse. There is no place in sport or society for discrimination, harassment or abuse, or anyone who takes advantage of athletes' trust."

Every WBSC World Cup will have a dedicated Safeguarding Officer, who will be onsite to assist athletes, who can also get in touch via safeguarding@wbsc.org

The WBSC Integrity Unit launched the #SafeCall campaign in early 2021 while two videos focused on An Athletes Guide to Safe Sport” were released in September.