As the final events concluded at the European Athletics Indoor Championships in Apeldoorn, safeguarding remained a central focus, ensuring the well-being of all participants—athletes, coaches, officials, and support staff alike.
European Athletics Safeguarding Programme: Preventing Harassment, Abuse and Exploitation
European Athletics is committed to safeguarding in our sport and has developed a comprehensive safeguarding and abuse prevention initiative: the European Athletics Safeguarding Programme.
This programme ensures the protection and safety of everyone involved in athletics, including athletes, officials, leaders, staff, volunteers, partners and contractors. It is designed to safeguard individuals regardless of their background, age, ethnicity, origin, gender or sexual orientation.
European Athletics, as an Area Association, follows World Athletics’ lead in safeguarding, serving as a role model and facilitator for its Member Federations. Launched in June 2022, the European Athletics Safeguarding Programme focuses on two key pillars: enforcing policies and reporting mechanisms through the European Athletics Integrity Platform, and raising awareness, providing education, and offering support to develop national safeguarding policies.
“Safeguarding is instrumental to our sport. Athletics is a place where we should be able to express our passion and feel safe regardless of our role,” commented European Athletics President Dobromir Karamarinov, who added:
“The Apeldoorn Championships underscored European Athletics’ ongoing commitment to athlete welfare and safety. By reinforcing safeguarding measures at major events and supporting Member Federations in their national initiatives, European Athletics aims to foster a culture of respect and transparency in athletics.”
Safeguarding and the Race for Respect Campaign at the Indoor Championships in Apeldoorn
At the European Athletics Indoor Championships in Apeldoorn, the safeguarding framework was actively implemented to create a safe and inclusive environment for all participants.
European Athletics and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) appointed dedicated Safeguarding Officers on-site, ensuring immediate access to support and confidential reporting mechanisms. Additionally, an Integrity Officer was present throughout the event to reinforce ethical standards and safeguarding policies.
To raise awareness, European Athletics and the Local Organising Committee organised a series of briefings before and during the championships for member federations, officials, and volunteers. As part of the Race for Respect campaign, European Athletics distributed postcards for athletes to write messages for themselves or send encouragement to someone who needs it.
“Athletics is more than just gold medals and medals generally. It is about friendship, about relationships that you will grow after all those years at the stadiums," commented Emmanouil Karalis who shared pole vault gold in Apeldoorn with Menno Vloon.
We were truly inspired by the heartfelt messages shared, with many athletes choosing to inspire others, while some kept the cards as a personal reminder of this championships moment. Posters with safeguarding contact details were also displayed throughout the event to ensure easy access to support.
By integrating safeguarding into the fabric of the Championships, European Athletics and the LOC reinforced their commitment to ensuring that everyone in the sport—athletes, officials, and volunteers—competes and works in an environment free from abuse, harassment and exploitation.
However, with a continued focus on education, awareness and reporting mechanisms, safeguarding remains a year-round priority—not just during competition but in all aspects of the sport.
Adam Szreter for European Athletics