Sport should be a safe environment for everyone, allowing you and other athletes to focus wholly on performance. Talking about consent is just one part of our work to help prevent harassment and abuse in sport and you can learn more by visiting the Safe Sport page on Athlete365.
Consent is everyone’s to give
As part of your journey through sport, your entourage will be there to try to give you the edge that you need to maximise your potential, and sometimes that can involve scrutinising your body in order to gain every possible advantage.
But you could be asked to do something that you’re not comfortable with, and you might think that it’s “just part of sport” or “how medals are won”, but that’s not the case. You are the one who gets to decide what you’re okay with.
Consent is allowing someone or giving someone permission to do something. Every one of us has the right to consent and to decide what we are comfortable with, and it’s just as important in sport as it is in other parts of life.
The act of consenting
The primary purpose of consent is to mutually agree to something before it takes place, creating an understanding between you and whoever it may be that you’re with. Consent cannot be forced, and it may be withdrawn at any time if you aren’t comfortable with how you feel.
Your right to a safe competition and training environment is enshrined in the Athletes’ Rights and Responsibilities Declaration.
Consent is not just the absence of saying “no”, and implied consent does not exist. If someone is not in a position to vocalise express their consent, then they are not capable of giving it.
You are a human being first, and have the right to establish your own boundaries, whether it is who can touch your body, the diet or training regime you’ve been suggested, or a matter in your personal life. And if someone crosses your boundaries without your consent, that is never your fault.
Your entourage and support staff are vital components of your success, but your future is in your hands, and no one else’s.
