Creating a Safeguarding Culture in Gymnastics: Integrating the Athlete voice

In gymnastics, infamous cases and allegations of child abuse have prompted investigations in several countries. Such investigations have provided evidence of cultures (both organisational and sporting), that failed to centralise gymnast wellbeing (Whyte Review, 2022). These high-profile cases have highlighted the need to ensure athlete welfare through safer environments (Kerr & Kerr, 2020; Willson et al., 2022) and created impetus for public and academic attention (Donnelly et al., 2016).

Despite the significance of safeguarding culture, limited theoretical and empirical knowledge exists; Owusu-Sekyere et al. (2021) represents the only academic study (to date) to examine safeguarding culture. Responding to the research, this study utilises the athlete voice to advance the conceptual understanding of safeguarding culture in sport. This study aims to investigate elite athletes’ perceptions of safeguarding culture in gymnastics. Theoretically, the article utilises the athlete voice to advance the conceptual understanding of safeguarding culture in sport. Additionally, practitioners may utilise the findings to enhance the safeguarding culture in gymnastics.

In gymnastics, infamous cases and allegations of child abuse have prompted investigations in several countries. Such investigations have provided evidence of cultures (both organisational and sporting), that failed to centralise gymnast wellbeing (Whyte Review, 2022). These high-profile cases have highlighted the need to ensure athlete welfare through safer environments (Kerr & Kerr, 2020; Willson et al., 2022) and created impetus for public and academic attention (Donnelly et al., 2016).