PSA highlights the importance of safeguarding every moment for every athlete

The U.S. Center for SafeSport (the Center) today announced the release of a public service announcement, Protect the Dream. The PSA highlights the need to safeguard every athlete in every sport. It is being distributed nationally in the lead up to the 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Italy, recognizing the importance of standing united for athlete safety and well-being.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251118862812/en/

“From elite athletes racing down the slopes in Italy to a child lacing up skates for the first time, every athlete matters,” said Paralympian April Holmes, interim CEO of the Center. “In all moments—big and small— athletes deserve to be safe and protected. Ahead of the 2026 Winter Games, we are called to come together, united, to protect the dream.”

The PSA can be viewed here. Anyone interested in airing the PSA can learn more and download it here.

As the Games approach, the Center will announce additional resources, including educational tools and on-the-ground reporting options for U.S. athletes competing in Italy.

Need for Abuse Prevention in Sport

The U.S. Center for SafeSport is the nation’s only independent organization dedicated to ending sexual, physical, and emotional abuse in U.S. Olympic and Paralympic sport. The Center emerged in response to high profile cases of sexual abuse of minor athletes within Olympic and Paralympic sport in the mid-2010s. With the mission of making athlete well-being the centerpiece of the nation’s sport culture, the Center has since been setting safety policies, and receiving, investigating, and resolving complaints of abuse and misconduct. The Center also serves as an educational resource for sports organizations at all levels, from recreational sports organizations to professional leagues.

With the goal of ensuring athletes within the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement are safe, supported, and strengthened, the Center:

• Establishes safety policies, including the SafeSport Code and the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies (MAAPP).
• Investigates and resolves allegations of abuse and misconduct and levies sanctions, including temporary and permanent bans from Olympic and Paralympic Sport.
• Delivers comprehensive abuse prevention education within and outside of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement.
• Implements a comprehensive audit and compliance function over all National Governing Bodies (NGBs) within the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement to ensure adherence to safety, abuse prevention, and accountability standards.

About the U.S. Center for SafeSport

The Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017 codified the U.S. Center for SafeSport (the Center), as the nation’s safe sport organization. It furthered the Center’s independence while underscoring its authority to hold individuals accountable. It also charged the Center with developing policies, procedures, and training to prevent abuse and misconduct in sport.

In October of 2020, the Empowering Olympic, Paralympic, and Amateur Athletes Act of 2020 became law, even further strengthening the Center’s independence and oversight functions while mandating minimum funding requirements for the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee.

The Center opened its doors in March of 2017.

Reporting and Resources

Report here to the U.S. Center for SafeSport if you have experienced abuse or misconduct—or if you have reasonable suspicion of abuse or misconduct—inflicted by someone in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement. You can also leave a message by calling the Center at: 833-587-7233.

RAINN's 24/7 online hotline is available for crisis intervention, referrals, or emotional support at any time. You can also call RAINN at: 800-656-HOPE (4673).

The Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24/7 free and confidential support at 988lifeline.org or by calling 988.

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“From elite athletes racing down the slopes in Italy to a child lacing up skates for the first time, every athlete matters. In all moments—big and small— athletes deserve to be safe and protected." - April Holmes, interim CEO, U.S. Center for SafeSport