SafeSport Releases Results of First-Ever National Coaches Survey

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DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 29, 2026--

The U.S. Center for SafeSport ( the Center ) today released the results of the organization’s first-ever National Coaches Survey: Building Safer Sport Together. Recognizing the importance of coaches and instructors within sport ecosystems, the survey gathered coaches’ perspectives and experiences related to abuse and misconduct as well as coach satisfaction, burnout, and norms and behaviors.

“As an Olympic hurdler, I know the importance of having a supportive, positive coach to help navigate obstacles—on and off the track,” said Gold Medalist Benita Fitzgerald Mosley, Chief Executive Officer of the Center. “This survey increases our collective understanding of the experiences of coaches, so that we can work together to mitigate risks and key in on opportunities to build safer sport settings.”

The findings of the coaches survey build on the Center’s 2020 and 2024 Athlete Culture & Climate Surveys, and will help to inform athlete safeguarding efforts, including important sport safety conversations that will take place during the 2026 Winter Games. Nearly 3,500 coaches and instructors responded to the survey, which was administered at the end of 2025.

“When we create cultures where safety is foundational rather than an afterthought, coaches are free to do what they do best: mentor, teach and inspire,” said Gold Medal Paralympian April Holmes, Board Chair Emeritus of the Center. “Our commitment is to ensure that athlete safety and competitive success aren't competing values, but rather complimentary pillars of a healthy sporting environment where achievement flourishes, athletes pursue excellence, and coaches feel supported.”

Key Findings

The survey found that 92% of coaches agreed that coaching has had a positive impact on their life, and—marking current perceptions among survey takers—76% of coaches felt confident that concerns raised about athlete safety would be appropriately addressed by their sport organization.

On the other hand, coaches noted incidents of abuse and misconduct directed at them and at athletes:

• 46% of coaches shared that while coaching they had at some point been the target of verbal harassment or abuse.
• 56% of coaches who experienced verbal harassment or abuse while coaching indicated that the source of the mistreatment was most often parents of athletes.
• 46% of coaches were aware of other coaches within the last 5 years shouting at an athlete in a frightening, threatening, or belittling manner.

Additionally, 35% of coaches stated that barriers to implementing and upholding athlete safety policy were related to organizational communication, fairness, and mistrust.

Next Steps

The Center will utilize the findings from the coaches survey, along with other stakeholder engagement efforts, to:

• Spur dialogue in the United States and internationally on how to better create safe sport environments and improve athlete safeguarding;
• Continue evaluating and improving the Center’s approach and processes;
• Enhance our training, education, and engagement with all stakeholders;
• Host follow-up sessions across the community to further collect and explore the data; and
• Contribute to efforts as we prepare further research ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.

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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KEYWORD: COLORADO UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA

INDUSTRY KEYWORD: SPORTS SCIENCE RESEARCH OLYMPICS GENERAL SPORTS

SOURCE: U.S. Center for SafeSport

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PUB: 01/29/2026 10:30 AM/DISC: 01/29/2026 10:30 AM

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