We recognize that athlete safety matters can be complex and feel overwhelming at times, and we hope this page helps athletes better understand how to navigate such issues, whether as a victim, accused or other impacted athlete (i.e., witness, reporter).
The information on this website is intended to a be resource to any athlete involved in an athlete safety matter and to help athletes better understand the role of the Athlete Ombuds, along with providing general information about the role and authority of the U.S Center for SafeSport (the Center), the NGBs and the USOPC. For specific policy or procedural information, you should reference applicable athlete safety policies, rules, and resources for the most up-to-date, complete, and accurate information.
For Team USA athletes (i.e., those representing the U.S. at Delegation Events and in international competition on the road to a Delegation Event), the Athlete Ombuds is available to you as a resource for independent, confidential* advice. Questions we can help with include:
- How and where to file a report (i.e., with the Center, the USOPC, your NGB, or law enforcement)
- Questions you may have as a victim, accused, or other impacted athlete (i.e., confidentiality, retaliation, procedural, mental health resources, or legal resources)
- Questions related to funding, benefits, and eligibility during or following an athlete safety matter
If you are a Team USA athlete competing in international competitions and you have questions or need assistance with how to report a concern or navigating an athlete safety matter, you may reach out to our office by emailing ombudsman@usathlete.org or leaving us a message at 719-866-5000.
*A full description of our confidentiality obligations and exceptions can be found on our homepage.
For all other athletes (i.e., masters, recreational, non-Olympic or Paralympic disciplines, etc.), while the advice and legal aid program of the Athlete Ombuds are specific to Team USA athletes, we hope that the information provided on this site is helpful to you in navigating an athlete safety matter and identifying legal, mental health or other resources available to you.
If you are experiencing an emergency or the matter involves a minor or life-threatening situation, please call 911 immediately. All other reports should be made according to the SafeSport Code, your NGB policies and/or USOPC policies. The staff of the Athlete Ombuds are not authorized to accept notice on behalf of the USOPC, the Center, or any other sport organization, so please see the FAQ below for how to report an issue of concern. Only those with proper authority can accept notice, investigate, or have access to case information.
Key Topic and Informational Resources
For additional information, athletes can reach out to:
- Center’s Resource & Process Advisors - The U.S. Center for SafeSport provides access to Resource and Process Advisors who can answer questions by phone or email from a neutral perspective. They can be reached at resource.advisor@safesport.org or by calling directly: 720-531-9024.
- The USOPC Security & Athlete Safety Office – They can be reached at athlete.safety@usopc.org or by calling directly: 719-866-3869.
- Legal Resources – The Athlete Ombuds maintains a list of attorneys on our website who have asserted that they have experience in sport related matters including athlete safety matters. Anyone who would like to work with an attorney may utilize the list as a resource to help identify an attorney for their situation. There is no obligation to the attorneys on the list and individuals are encouraged to speak with and choose whomever they please. Any engagement and/or fee arrangement would be between you and them. Individuals should always take care to select a lawyer who is competent to handle the issue at hand, as well as communicative, trustworthy, available, and free from conflicts of interest.
Advice from any member of the Office of the Athlete Ombuds, including but not limited to information provided on this website, does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. Athletes should seek legal counsel if they want specific legal advice or individual representation.