10/9/2026
When we protect our athletes, we protect Track & Field.
Runners, sprinters, and marathoners alike know the silence right before the start of their heart-pounding race. Jumpers measure their approach and visualize their leaps, while throwers warm up their arms before aiming for target or distance. With the roar—and sometimes hush—of the crowd, athletes in track and field maintain their concentration for the finesse of their event, with their sights set on the podium. When we protect our runners, throwers, and jumpers, we keep this sport safe and healthy for all.
Courage First Athlete Helpline
Use this resource if you are in need of confidential emotional support, crisis intervention, informational athlete-focused resources, and guidance related to concerns about any type of abuse.
The Courage First Athlete Helpline is a no-cost call and text service for anyone in need. +1 888-279-1026
Common Track & Field Safeguarding Concerns
Abuse and misconduct can happen in all sports, at every level of play. Track & Field has some specific vulnerabilities, such as:
- Track and field athletes may experience Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) due to excessive training and physical exertion. This can make athletes vulnerable to injury and abuse. There also may be weight-related pressures to “stay lean,” which can result in physical injury and harm as well as normalize body criticism.
- For certain track and field events, such as throwing events, there may be pressures on athletes to use performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) to increase strength. PEDs have negative impacts on athlete health, and pressuring athletes to use these substances is medically neglectful. Using these substances can also cause an athlete to be banned from the sport.
- Track and field events are frequently competed within team environments, which can be potential havens for peer-on-peer abuse, hazing, and bullying. These behaviors are often encouraged, minimized, or normalized rather than taken seriously.
What’s the difference between tough coaching & abuse?
The Coach Athlete Relationship Dynamics Diagrams below can be used as a gut check; consider the conduct you experience and observe in your sporting community, and discern whether what is occurring aligns with a caring and supportive coach-athlete relationship. For athletes who have unhealthy relationship dynamics with their coaches, inappropriate behavior can be subtle and difficult to discern. Awareness and prevention of these patterns of power and control help keep everyone safe.
Current Events
Unfortunately, news articles chronicling misconduct in sport and unhealthy coach-athlete dynamics are frequent and widespread. Abuse in sport has been occurring for decades, and the public is now becoming aware of these hidden situations as more and more survivors bravely disclose and report misconduct they have experienced. #WeRideTogether is committed to increasing awareness and continually updating this compiled list of current events on the topic of sexual abuse in sport. Sexual misconduct is happening across all sports, at all levels, internationally.
10/2/2026
Cal State athletes sue over alleged sexual misconduct, ignored complaints
9/30/2026
Former Lindbergh teacher and coach charged with sex crimes against students dating back to 1995
9/17/2026
Lawsuit alleges sexual assault during Nike-backed event for elite high school athletes
10/11/2026
As sports betting is normalized, college players have become targets of aggrieved bettors
10/6/2026
Gresham Man Accused Of Faking His Age To Participate In Youth Sports And Sexually Abusing Children, Faces More Charges
10/1/2026
Ohio State Could Owe Millions More to Prior Strauss Sex-Abuse Plaintiffs
9/30/2026
Burke County high school coach charged with felony sex act with a student
Track & Field Resources
Below are resources related to Physical Safety, Governing Bodies, and Reporting within Track & Field.
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Athletics Integrity Unit - Integrity Line
Reporting
Platform to report concerns related to integrity violations.
Hydration for Endurance Athletes
Physical Safety
Learn why staying hydrated while exercising matters.
Relative energy deficiency in sport (REDs)
Physical Safety
Gain an understanding of REDs, symptoms and causes of REDs, and prevention.
World Athletics - Safeguarding
Governing Bodies
Access guidance and template documents, such as a safeguarding policy and rules, codes of conduct, flowcharts and reporting forms for Member Federations
Survivor Stories
Survivors are increasingly stepping forward to bravely tell their stories. The following stories reflect the survivors’ personal experiences, as told by them, and may be triggering for individuals who have experienced sexual abuse or misconduct. All information has been anonymized.
If you are a survivor interested in sharing your story and learning more about this process, please reach out to us at info@weridetogether.today.
We want to hear from you!
You are not alone.
What resources or information do you want for your sport? Contact us and let us know.
If you or someone you know has experienced misconduct or abuse, please access these resources for help. For additional information on confidential helplines, sexual assault reporting procedures, and mental health resources, click the button below.
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