There is still much work to be done to ensure safe sport. Much has already been accomplished — and together we are getting better. 

Finnish physical activity and sports culture offers a wealth of joy, a sense of community, and a sense of achievement. It provides countless positive and encouraging moments that sustain us in our daily lives. However, a recent study published by the University of Helsinki reminds us that there is still room for improvement — especially in ensuring that everyone feels safe to report maltreatment and confident that it will be addressed.  

In particular, forms of emotional abuse are highlighted in doctoral researcher Jatta Muhonen’s study: yelling, name-calling, exclusion, pressure, and control. The perpetrator is often an adult, but a peer group can also act in ways that undermine a sense of safety or cause harm. Women, athletes belonging to gender and sexual minorities, minors, and elite athletes are particularly vulnerable. 

In youth sports, adults are always responsible for safety. It is the adults’ responsibility to create recreational environments and a sports culture that support safe and equitable participation. This includes ensuring that practices facilitate open discussion and make it easy to raise concerns—as well as investing in preventive measures so that concerns do not arise in the first place. 

– It’s great that this data has been collected and that we now have more research-based information to support our work. Many of the initiatives we’re already promoting are, as the data shows, on the right track. At the same time, it honestly highlights the gaps that still need attention and offers concrete suggestions for addressing them. I appreciate that the athletes have brought forward such a wide range of development suggestions, says Elina Laine, Head of Sustainability at the Finnish Olympic Committee. 

Our sustainability efforts are well underway – working together  

Prevention is at the heart of responsible sports practices, and many of the measures are specifically aimed at this. Themes related to a safe operating environment are strongly incorporated into, for example, the sports community’s “Star Club” program, which supports clubs in establishing consistent and responsible practices in their day-to-day operations. In addition, discussions on the rules of the game, the development of coaching culture, and training are key ways to strengthen the entire sports community’s ability to prevent problems before they arise.  

The sports community is also implementing a wide range of other measures to enhance safety. This work is being carried out in collaboration with, for example, the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Finnish Center for Sports Ethics (SUEK), the “You Are Not Alone” initiative, regional organizations, sports federations, clubs, child rights experts, and representatives of athletes and coaches. 

The topics currently being worked on include: 

• Harassment Liaison Program  
• Mediation Service for Regional Sports Organizations  
• Review of Training Programs for a Safe Operating Environment 
• Clarification of the whistleblowing system and case handling  
• Municipal cooperation regarding clubs’ sustainability criteria 
• Rules and Discipline 

Support and opportunities for everyone 

The Finnish Olympic Committee’s website offers free resources for club officials. The resource bank includes, for example, a joint sports responsibility program that can be directly applied to the day-to-day operations of sports clubs. In addition, the responsibility clinics organized by the Olympic Committee provide a forum for discussing, sharing best practices, and developing activities together.  

Responsibility clinic April 13, 1:00–3:00 p.m.: Toward Safer Sports.

The next responsibility clinic, “Toward Safer Sports,” will be held on April 13 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. The event will focus on training for a safe operating environment and handling cases of inappropriate behavior. The event is organized in collaboration with the Finnish Olympic Committee and the Finnish Center for Sports Ethics (SUEK). Registration and further information can be found on the Suomisport event page. We look forward to seeing you there! 

A safer environment doesn’t happen on its own or by chance—it happens when we work together. Each of us has a role to play and an opportunity to make physical activity and sports safer than ever before.  

See also

• Petteri Kilpinen’s blog: “We want to win, but not at any cost” 
• More information about the Tähtiseura program (in Finnish)
• University of Helsinki Research Project: Athletes’ Well-being, Abuse, and Legal Protection