Stephen Harris now IOC certified Safeguarding Officer in Sport

Lausanne (FIL) Former President of the Canadian Luge Federation Steve Harris was awarded the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Safeguarding Officer in Sport certificate after successfully completing an eight-month certificate course on 12 September 2022 in the Olympic Museum, Lausanne (SUI). 

The Safeguarding Officer in Sport certification course was developed by Sports Oracle in collaboration with an academic advisory board of international experts and overseen by three programme directors. 

As a result, Steve Harris now has a critical role in preventing and responding to harassment and abuse (non-accidental violence) in sport. 

"It's been an excellent course from Sports Oracle and I'm looking forward to applying what I've learned. On Monday. 12 September was the graduation ceremony for all those who successfully completed the course last April," Steve Harris reported and went on to say, "I wanted to expand my knowledge and experience in the field of safe sport by learning from the leading experts and researchers. I want to continue my work in sport to build a positive and safe culture in all areas of the sporting environment."

To realise these goals, a FIL Safe Sport Working Group has been established under the leadership of the new Safeguarding Officer in Sport Steve Harris (CAN). Members of this new working group also include Hannah Campbell-Pegg (AUS), Zianabeth Shattuck-Owen (USA), Mark Hatton (GBR), FIL Secretary General Dwight Bell (USA), FIL Executive Director Christoph Schweiger (AUT) and FIL staff (TBD).

"I hope that my work as Chair of the FIL Safe Sport Working Group will bring about positive change as this group guides the FIL in building a comprehensive framework for safe sport," said Steve Harris.

The IOC Safeguarding Office in Sport Certificate Course is the first international Safeguarding Officer Certificate Programme and is designed for individuals who have been or will be appointed as Safeguarding Officers. They are expected to serve as a focal point for safeguarding issues or to work in the field of sport integrity for national or international sport organisations, in particular National Olympic Committees (NOCs), International Federations (IFs) and National Federations (NFs). 

 This course consists of seven learning modules and introduces participants to their critical role in preventing and responding to harassment and abuse in sport, including important contributions to prioritising the well-being and protection of athletes:inside both within their organisation and at major sporting events. The IOC Certificate: Safeguarding Officer in Sport is awarded by the International Olympic Committee. Certificates are presented to successful graduates at a ceremony at IOC headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland. https://www.sportsoracle.com/Safeguarding/Home/