Below is an extract from the latest issue of Inside Track, European Athletics’ official online magazine, highlighting European Athletics Race for Respect programme and the critical issue of safeguarding in the sport.
Few athletes have spoken more openly or powerfully about safeguarding than Olympic bronze medallist and multiple European champion Holly Bradshaw.
In a recent conversation with European Athletics, she shared her experiences of online abuse and how it shaped her understanding of mental wellbeing and resilience.
“I was just 19 when I started receiving abuse on social media,” she recalled. “It was brutal. Comments about my body, my appearance – things I’d never even thought about. At that age, you’re not equipped to deal with it.”
Governing bodies starting to take abuse seriously
Bradshaw has long been an advocate for mental health support and transparent safeguarding structures in athletics. “The abuse doesn’t go away,” she said. “But what’s changed is that governing bodies are starting to take it seriously. European Athletics being visible with safeguarding initiatives makes a huge difference. It shows they care.”
She added that support staff, from physios to coaches, can make all the difference. “You don’t always need someone to solve the problem. Just being there to listen, to say 'it’s okay', to help athletes feel seen and heard – that’s vital.”