European Athletics: Strengthening Policies and Supporting Member Federations

Since December 2022, EN GARDE has been working in close partnership with European Athletics to strengthen safeguarding across its Member Federations and major competitions.
Mathilde Grenet giving keynote presentation to European Athletics Future Leaders in Roma
Mathilde Grenet giving keynote presentation at the 2022 European Athletics Championships Young Leaders Forum in Munich
Mathilde Grenet giving safeguarding briefing to the team managers at 2024 European Athletics U18 Championships – Banská Bystrica, SVK
Mathilde Grenet giving keynote presentation to European Athletics Future Leaders in Roma
European Athletics Race for Respect Campaign in Roma 2024 European Athletics Championship
Mathilde Grenet giving keynote presentation to European Athletics Member Federations CEOs and presidents at European Athletics Convention 2022 in Tallinn.
Mathilde Grenet giving keynote presentation to European Athletics Member Federations CEOs and presidents at European Athletics Convention 2022 in Tallinn.
Mathilde Grenet acting as European Athletics Safeguarding Officer for European Athletics U23 Championships in Espoo Finland

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Supporting European Athletics Member Federations

EN GARDE was appointed to support European Athletics’ Member Federations in developing and implementing their own safeguarding policies and procedures, in alignment with the World Athletics Safeguarding Policy, which mandated all federations to have frameworks in place by December 2023. As part of this mandate, EN GARDE also led the revision of European Athletics’ overarching Safeguarding Policy and drafted new safeguarding rules to ensure consistency, clarity, and accountability across the organisation.

Safeguarding at Major Competitions

In 2023, EN GARDE’s mandate expanded to include the design and implementation of a safeguarding framework at European Athletics' major competitions. Mathilde Grenet was appointed as European Athletics Safeguarding Officer for the following events:

  • 2023 European Athletics U23 Championships – Espoo, FIN
  • 2024 European Athletics Championships – Rome, ITA
  • 2024 European Athletics U18 Championships – Banská Bystrica, SVK
  • 2024 SPAR European Cross Country Championships – Antalya, TUR
  • 2025 European Athletics Indoor Championships – Apeldoorn, NED

Key Initiatives and Deliverables at the events: 

  • Creation of the “Race for Respect” Campaign, a pioneering safeguarding awareness initiative
  • Development and distribution of a comprehensive Event Safeguarding Plan to all participants
  • Safeguarding briefings delivered to team managers, staff, and volunteers
  • Dedicated individual team safeguarding briefings
  • Visibility campaigns including posters with key safeguarding messages placed around the venues
  • A giant interactive canvas placed in athletes' areas, where athletes and coaches shared what "Safe Sport" means to them – several contributions were featured on social media

https://www.european-athletics.com/news/race-for-respect-pioneering-safeguarding-measures-at-the-european-athletics-championships-roma-2024

https://www.european-athletics.com/news/race-for-respect-putting-safeguarding-on-everyones-agenda