SafeSport & Athlete Safety
Established in 2017, the U.S. Center for SafeSport is the independent and exclusive authority directed by Congress to prevent and respond to all forms of abuse and misconduct within the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement. The Center is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization headquartered in Denver, Colorado.
The Center receives, investigates, and responds to reports of abuse and misconduct from individuals affiliated with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and its National Governing Bodies (NGBs). The Center ensures that the USOPC and NGBs properly apply policies and procedures to govern abuse prevention and maintains a database of individuals sanctioned from participation in their sport.
Throughout the Olympic and Paralympic Movement, the Center trains athletes, parents, coaches, volunteers, and organizations at all levels on best practices and principles for preventing abuse in sport settings. In doing so, the Center advances its mission of making athlete well-being the center of our nation’s sports culture through abuse prevention, education, and accountability.
The SafeSport Code establishes consistent standards of response and resolution to abuse and misconduct claims behavior across the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement. The USOPC, NGBs, and LAOs must comply, in all respects, with these policies and procedures as defined by the Code. All participants of these organizations are responsible for adhering to and understanding the Code.
The Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies (MAAPP) is a collection of proactive prevention and training policies for the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Movement. It has three primary components: an Education and Training Policy, Required Prevention Policies, and Recommended Prevention Policies. The Center developed the MAAPP to assist National Governing Bodies, Paralympic Sport Organizations, Local Affiliated Organizations, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, and other individuals to whom these policies apply in meeting their obligations under federal law.
Resources#
USABS recognizes it can be difficult for an athlete, teammate, co-worker, friend or family member to report an allegation of misconduct and strives to remove as many barriers to reporting as possible. Please recognize the reporter’s critical role is simply to report the allegation to the appropriate entity(ies). It is not the reporter’s responsibility to evaluate the credibility of the allegation, gather additional information, or investigate the incident. There is no cost associated with reporting.
To report Sexual Misconduct and Child Abuse: Report Sexual Misconduct and Child Abuse Immediately to the U.S. Center for SafeSport here and Report Child Abuse Immediately to Law Enforcement.
Important: If an Adult Participant learns of information and reasonably suspects that a Minor has suffered an incident of Child Abuse (to include neglect, physical, emotional and sexual abuse) they must report this to law enforcement (or in some states child protective services) and the Center immediately.
To report Emotional, Physical and other Prohibited Conduct and MAAPP Violations: Promptly report allegations of emotional, physical or other Prohibited Conduct and allegations of MAAPP violations by providing as much relevant information as possible (e.g. reporting parties name and contact information, alleged misconduct/concern, date of incident, location of incident, individuals involved and their roles, ages and contact information, if known, including potential bystanders/witnesses) and attach any relevant documentation to USABS:
o By Email: athletesafety@usabs.com
o Phone/In Person: A Member of the Athlete Safety Team
Anonymous reports may be made. However, it does not mean that the underlying information will be protected. Please remember reporting anonymously may limit the USABS’ ability to investigate and respond to a report. As such, USABS encourages an anonymous reporter to provide as much detail as possible (e.g. date of incident, incident location, identify of all individuals involved including potential witnesses, relevant documentation, etc.) when making the report. There is no cost associated with anonymous reporting.
Report a Concern Anonymously to USABS
For more information on the reporting of allegations, review Section 5 of the USABS Athlete Safety Policy, which is linked below. Individuals needing assistance with reporting or having questions about appropriate reporting protocol may contact athletesafety@usabs.com.
- USABS Athlete Safety Policy
- 2024 SafeSport Code for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement
- 2024 Safesport Code: Noteworthy Revisions
- 2025 USABS Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy (MAAPP)
- 2025 MAAPP Noteworthy Revisions
- Parent and minor athlete training requirements
- The Center's NGB Services page
- The Center's Response and Resolution
- Centralized Disciplinary Database
● Staff members and volunteers;
● USABS athletes in the USADA required testing pool;
● Technical members; and
● Individuals USABS formally authorizes, approved or appoints to: (a) position of authority over, or (b) have frequent contact with athletes.
Report a Concern
- Content categorized by:
SafeSport
Report here if you have experienced abuse or misconduct—or if you have reasonable suspicion of abuse or misconduct inflicted on, or by, someone in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement.
Report a Concern, opens in a new tab