NextGen 2020 - Protecting Athletes

(ATR) Whether it’s the IOC, federations or private foundations, protecting athletes from abuse and harassment has become a must for survival of Olympic-level sport.

Among the responses to the USA Gymnastics scandal is an international campaign by the Foundation for Global Sports Development, which produced the documentary "At the Heart of Gold: Inside the USA Gymnastics Scandal". Foundation leaders and film producers Dr. Steven Ungerleider and David Ulich have now conducted 20 "Courage First" screenings in the U.S. In Olympic year 2020, Ungerleider and Ulich plan to increase the international exposure for the film, which can be seen on HBO.

USA Gymnastics’ Kerry Perry is in her second year as CEO of the national governing body. With the Tokyo Olympics coming, she’ll have the opportunity to demonstrate whether the NGB is on its way to restoring its credibility with athletes.

Victims of the U.S. scandal, such as Simone Biles and Aly Raisman, will remain powerful spokeswomen for the fight against abuse.

Gold medal Olympic swimmer Nancy Hogshead-Makar is now a lawyer who is CEO of Champion Women, an organization that fights for equality and accountability in sport. She’ll be following the implementation of new laws the U.S. Congress passed in 2019 that address safe sport.

At the IOC, Prince Feisal Al Hussein of Jordan has overseen development of a toolkit for NOCs and other sports bodies to follow to stamp out abusive behavior at the grassroots. Now in his tenth year on the IOC, he’s now a member of the Executive Board.

Support for refugee athletes, a cause dear to IOC President Thomas Bach, is now entrusted to Kenyan running great Tegla Loroupe. She will be deeply involved with the preparation of the refugee team that will be formed for Tokyo 2020.

Reported byEd Hula. For general comments or questions,click here.