10/12/2026
When we protect our athletes, we protect Swimming.
From the pool to the open water, swimmers find their stroke and compete individually or with a team. With countless laps, drills, and dryland sessions, athletes build their cardiovascular endurance, muscle strength, and technique to move their bodies through the water. Swimming can truly evoke feelings of power, peace, and joy; grab your cap and goggles, take your mark, BEEP. When we protect our swimmers, 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 Swimming Safeguarding Concerns
Abuse and misconduct can happen in all sports, at every level of play. Swimming has some specific vulnerabilities, such as:
- Swimmers 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.
- Swimmers often specialize early and have intense training loads, which can lead to overuse injuries. Injured athletes may be especially vulnerable to abuse or exploitation when dependent on those in power to make treatment and return-to-sport decisions. Inadequate injury prevention and treatment protocols may be signs of neglect in the sporting environment.
- Close relationships can develop between athletes and coaches, and competitions result in increased amounts of one-on-one interactions. These relationships can develop while the athlete is still young because of early sport specialization, and boundaries can be blurred.
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.
9/10/2026
U.S. Center for SafeSport: Kansas City swim coach suspended for inappropriate conduct, sexual harassment
9/8/2026
Former Michigan State Swimmer, Germantown Academy Coach Suspended By USA Swimming
9/2/2026
Minnesota swim coach pleads guilty to grooming student's sister via text
10/18/2026
Youth Sports Families Allege Travel Company Threatened Their Kids' Playing Status If They Didn't Pay Lodging Fees
10/15/2026
Athletic trainer at San Jose school accused of sexual battery of student
10/14/2026
Details emerge on police raid of ex-Kempsville High School athletic director’s home
10/11/2026
As sports betting is normalized, college players have become targets of aggrieved bettors
Swimming Resources
Below are resources related to Physical Safety, Environmental Safety, and Coaching within Swimming.
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10 Open Water Safety Tips
Environmental Safety
Tips and reccomendations for open water swimming safety.
Coach Safety Requirements
Coaching
Develop an understanding of safety requirements and approved certifications for swim coaches.
Hydration for Endurance Athletes
Physical Safety
Learn why staying hydrated while exercising matters.
Underwater Hypoxic Blackout Prevention
Physical Safety
Learn about Underwater Hypoxic Blackout (UHB) and how to prevent it.
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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