7/9/2025
When we protect our athletes, we protect Triathlon.
Maybe you love being in the red zone in the shorter spring and Olympic distances. Or maybe you prefer the slow burn and all-day effort of Ironman distance. As a triathlete, you have clocked thousands of minutes in the water, on the saddle, and wearing out those running shoes. With grueling brick workouts and rehearsing transitions, you have prepared extensively for race day. So get hydrated, eat nutritiously, tune up your bike, and grab your sunglasses and body glide. You are more than ready to conquer any course. When we protect our triathletes, 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 Triathlon Safeguarding Concerns
Abuse and misconduct can happen in all sports, at every level of play. Triathlon has some specific vulnerabilities, such as:
- Due to triathlon being an endurance sport, there might be a normalization of excessive training, which can lead to exercise addiction and dependency. This normalization can also passively permit athlete abuse.
- Triathlon 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.
- Since most triathlon competition events are done outdoors, there are environmental risk factors to consider, such as weather, water conditions, and other course conditions. These environmental factors require a high amount of physical safeguarding and teaching athletes how to safely navigate these conditions.
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.
12/9/2024
Female athletes being deterred from triathlons, report reveals
8/3/2024
Second known child sex offender participating at the Olympics outed: Australian coach of women's triathlon medallist pleaded guilty to five counts of sexual abuse of a 13-year-old girl
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
10/6/2026
Gresham Man Accused Of Faking His Age To Participate In Youth Sports And Sexually Abusing Children, Faces More Charges
Triathlon Resources
Below are resources related to Physical Safety, Environmental Safety, and Safeguarding within Triathlon.
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10 Open Water Safety Tips
Environmental Safety
Tips and reccomendations for open water swimming safety.
11 Ways Athletes Can Prioritize Safety in Sport
Safeguarding
Gain an understanding of the importance of prioritizing safety in sports.
Athlete Smart: Health Awareness Information
Physical Safety
Learn how to assess your own safety and competition preparedness.
British Triathlon Guide to Risk Assessment for Events
Safeguarding
Gain an understanding of the importance of risk assessment before triathlon events.
Hydration for Endurance Athletes
Physical Safety
Learn why staying hydrated while exercising matters.
Overtraining: what it is and how to prevent it
Physical Safety
Learn how to recognize and prevent overtraining.
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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