With more than 2,500 athletes set to compete at the World Aquatics Championships – Singapore 2025, more than 70 team leaders joined the Aquatics Integrity Unit’s (AQIU) Safeguarding Webinar aimed at promoting a safe and positive environment for all participants.
The session featured speakers from the AQIU, USA-based safeguarding organisation We Ride Together and the Safe Sport Commission Singapore, who each shared insights and best practices on safeguarding.
It began with a comprehensive overview from We Ride Together’s Executive Director Michaela Callie and Program and Partnerships Director Kathryn McLain of the fundamentals on safeguarding and types of misconduct in aquatics.
AQIU Senior Manager Justin Lessard then outlined reporting mechanisms that will be in place to raise safeguarding concerns during the World Aquatics Championships, and the Safe Sport Commission Singapore’s Senior Manager for Policy and Research Kend Tuck Ng highlighted cultural awareness and local laws in Singapore to help all participants stay safe.
USA Swimming’s Director of Safe Sport Elizabeth Hahn also offered an example of best practice by sharing top safeguarding strategies to help teams prepare for the World Aquatics Championships.
“Athlete safety and wellbeing is a top priority for the AQIU, and this was an extremely useful webinar to help equip team leaders with the understanding to recognise safeguarding concerns and knowledge of how to report them confidentially,” an AQIU spokesperson said.
"We are grateful to We Ride Together, the Safe Sport Commission Singapore and USA Swimming who joined us in delivering an insightful session and providing practical tools for the participants to benefit from"
The Safeguarding Webinar is the AQIU’s latest initiative aimed at using education and collaboration to deliver a safe environment for all athletes and officials in aquatic sports.
The World Aquatics Championships will be held from 11 July to 3 August in Singapore, featuring more than 2,500 of the world’s top athletes.
How to report and learn more
If you suspect any safeguarding concern or unethical behaviour at any level of aquatics, please visit the AQIU’s reporting page here to file a confidential report.
Click here to access Safe Sport resources on the AQIU Website.
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