Historically, corporal punishment has been widely accepted in sport, and remains common in many countries and contexts. Persons in positions of power and trust, such as coaches and trainers and others might physically punish young athletes, purportedly to motivate them to perform better. Punishments can include striking, punching, slapping, excessive exercise and other severe violence, and is often accompanied by verbal abuse or otherwise humiliating treatment.

Blog and call to action by End Corporal Punishment

Like corporal punishment of children in other contexts, violent punishment in sport is associated with a wide range of negative impacts, including physical injuries, psychological trauma, decreased self-esteem, and increased aggression. Studies have found that corporal punishment is not an effective means of improving performance or behaviour in sport, and in fact increases anxiety, reduces enjoyment of the sport, and leads to higher dropout rates.[1] The use of corporal punishment in sport is increasingly recognized as inappropriate and harmful. Emphasizing positive, supportive coaching methods can foster better athletic performance and personal development among young athletes while safeguarding their well-being and dignity.

Recent studies have highlighted the high levels of the physical abuse of children in sport. In the 2021 CASES Study, conducted in six European countries, 52% of men and 36% of women reported at least one experience of physical violence inside sport before age 18.[2] The 2021 Census of Athlete Rights Experiences (CARE Report) of the World Players Association and UNI Global Union found that 37% of elite athletes had at least one experience of physical abuse as a child in sport.[3] Undoubtedly improved monitoring and reporting systems are needed to support the  elimination of corporal punishment of children in sport.

67 States have now prohibited corporal punishment in all settings of their lives, and growing number of countries have banned corporal punishment in schools and other child-related institutions – although some 63 states still allow corporal punishment in schools. In sport, there are increasing calls for similar explicit prohibitions. Ethical guidelines from numerous sport organizations emphasize the importance of respecting the dignity and rights of young athletes.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has demonstrated a growing commitment to eliminating harmful practices in sport. Its Safe Sport initiatives and programmes strive to ensure that every athlete can train and compete in a safe sporting environment – one that is fair, equitable and free from all forms of harassment and abuse.^[4] Its Safe Sport Unit is forging new ground than includes education, awareness raising and safeguarding training and tools.

Notwithstanding these achievements, more needs to be done.  The IOC could play a leading role in insisting on the safety of the hundreds of millions of children engaged in sport at all levels, critically by making a commitment to end corporal punishment of children in sport.  In the immediate future it could take measures to ensure that no child participant in the 2026 Youth Olympic Games is subjected to any form of corporal punishment during the two-year lead up to the Games.  This is achievable and would influence children’s engagement in sport in every country in the world, would demonstrate the IOC’s commitment to child protection and wellbeing in sport as non-negotiable, and would have significant positive impacts on the wider societal acceptance of violence against children.

August 8, is Safe Sport Day, taking the theme of making sport safe for children EVERY day.  This year it takes place as the Paris Olympic Games are inspiring  children around the world to participate in sport, and as governments and the international community prepare for the First Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children in Bogotá in November. This is a vital opportunity to make and reaffirm commitments to end corporal punishment and other forms of violence in sport against children. Every child has a right to access powerful and positive experiences in sport safely and without risking the harms of corporal punishment.

• Read our case study and guest blog: Eliminating corporal punishment in sport in Japan
• See our other 2024 Guest Blogs

[1] David, P., et al. (2007). Physical punishment in youth sports: The effects on performance and development.

[2] Hartill, M., Rulofs, B., Lang, M., Vertommen, T., Allroggen, M., Cirera, E., Diketmueller, R., Kampen, J., Kohl, A., Martin, M., Nanu, I., Neeten, M., Sage, D., Stativa, E. (2021). CASES: Child abuse in sport: European Statistics – Project Report. Ormskirk, UK: Edge Hill University.

[3] Rhind,D, Musson,H., Florence,A., Gilpin,P., Alford,G., (2021). Census of Athlete Rights Experiences Report. World Players Association and UNI Global Union.

[4] https://olympics.com/ioc/safe-sport