Key findings of the 2-year Building European Safe Sport Together (BESST) project were presented at the Olympic Committee of Slovenia (OKS) Days, held on October 15-16, 2024, in Portorož, Slovenia. Co-funded by the EU, project BESST aims to strengthen the foundation for a European sports environment free from transgressive behaviour and to support the growing maturity of European sports organizations in safeguarding practices.
The first day featured a round table on Integrity in Sport – Ensuring a Safe Sports Environment, moderated by Ms. Maja Smrdu, a member of the OKS Ethics Commission. The panel included athletes’ rights advocates, legal professionals, government officials, educators, law enforcement, and Peter Dokl from OKS, who also represented project BESST.
On the second day, Andreja McQuarrie shared project outcomes on behalf of the project partners, including Academy Rudi Hiti which was also in attendance. The project research findings indicate that European sports organisations’ safeguard readiness is still in the early stages of development. These results highlight the urgent need for continued efforts to enhance safeguarding across Europe. The audience featured key figures and decision-makers in Slovenian sports, including representatives from the Olympic Committee of Slovenia (OKS), national and local sports federations, various government ministries, national media, sponsors, and other supporters of the Olympic Movement in Slovenia.
Also, on the second day, at the Athletes’ Forum, participants were informed about misconceptions surrounding safeguarding. They were made aware of the contact for reporting transgressive behaviour they may experience or observe.
For more information about project BESST and OKS Days, visit:
BESST Project, OKS Days 2024: https://dnevioks.olympic.si/prezentacije
About the project BESST
The BESST initiative aims to develop a modern unifying definition, a legal framework and an awareness and education toolkit for National Olympic Committees, Sports Federations and Clubs and guidelines for European sports event organisers to provide the organisations with the necessary support to make sports safer for everyone involved.
The BESST project team consists of the following organisations: European Olympic Academies, IGNITX, Windesheim University of Applied Sciences, Rudi Hiti Academy, UEFA Foundation for Children, NOC of Netherlands (NOC*NSF), and NOC of Slovenia.
Andreja McQuarrie sharing BESST project outcomes to key figures in Slovenian sports. © Aleš Fevžer 
Andreja McQuarrie sharing BESST project outcomes to key figures in Slovenian sports. © NOC Slovenia 
Andreja McQuarrie sharing BESST project outcomes to key figures in Slovenian sports. © Alenka Hiti 
BESST Brochure on 11 Safeguarding myths shared on different occasions during the days of NOC Slovenia. © Alenka Hiti 
BESST Brochure on 11 Safeguarding myths shared on different occasions during the days of NOC Slovenia. © Alenka Hiti 
