World Triathlon has taken another step in its safeguarding strategy with the publication of the new Safeguarding Guidelines for National Federations, a document designed to turn the commitments established in its TRI Safeguarding Policy and Programme into concrete actions for its members. The initiative is part of TRICARE, the international organisation’s safeguarding programme, and focuses on building sporting environments based on trust, respect and inclusion, taking into account athletes, coaches, technical officials, volunteers and communities connected to triathlon.
The new framework proposes moving away from a model based solely on checklists towards an approach adapted to the reality of each National Federation. To this end, World Triathlon will implement a TRICARE Classification System with three levels of readiness: Bronze, Silver and Gold. The tool will allow each organisation to identify where it currently stands and determine the steps needed to strengthen its prevention, education and response mechanisms when situations arise that may affect people’s wellbeing within sport.
A system adapted to each National Federation
The Bronze level is aimed at federations that are beginning to develop their safeguarding structures. Requirements include appointing a child safeguarding officer, establishing a minimum reporting mechanism, completing TRI’s Level I Child Safeguarding course on Education Hub, and participating in the Annual Child Safeguarding Survey. The Silver level, meanwhile, is designed for organisations that already have an operational programme, including a public safeguarding policy, a formally appointed safeguarding officer, several reporting channels, codes of conduct and at least one educational initiative each year.
The Gold level applies to federations with established safeguarding systems and seeks to recognise more advanced structures. These organisations will be required to conduct regular policy reviews, provide advanced training for their child safeguarding officers, offer anonymous, confidential and public reporting mechanisms, implement safer recruitment procedures, provide formal support for victims and publish anonymised data. In addition, World Triathlon proposes that federations reaching the Silver and Gold levels take on a mentoring role for those that are just beginning, promoting the exchange of knowledge and experiences across the international triathlon community.
New tools and standards for 2027
The guidelines will come into effect in 2027 as part of World Triathlon’s safeguarding measures implementation plan. The aim is to increase the number of federations with policies and programmes focused particularly on prevention and awareness. The challenge is based on a concrete reality: of the organisation’s 168 members, only 61 National Federations reported in the 2025 National Federation Survey that they had a safeguarding policy. In response, World Triathlon will conduct a comprehensive review of existing policies to ensure that they meet the established minimum standards and requirements.
The document also addresses practical aspects of managing a safeguarding concern, from definitions, scope and reporting channels to sanctions and jurisdiction. Among the measures, the independent safeguarding officer will be required to acknowledge receipt of each report within 96 hours, while the guidelines also cover education, prevention, athlete wellbeing and online safety. In addition, the guidelines introduce the Safeguarding Point of Contact (SPOC), a trained individual who will be present at World Triathlon events to receive and address safeguarding concerns, with implementation beginning in 2027. The guidelines were developed by World Triathlon and underwent a final review by Laureus Sport for Good and Sport Resolutions, the independent body responsible for managing safeguarding matters referred to TRI.
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