(Cortina, Italy) During the 2026 Paralympic Games in Cortina, Italy, the U.S. Center for SafeSport convened leaders, athletes, and global experts for a powerful international gathering: United Globally for Athlete Safety. This special symposium created space for collaborative dialogue on safeguarding practices, shared challenges, and the collective responsibility to protect athletes at every level of sport.
A Panel Led by Athletes, for Athletes
One of the highlights of the event was the International Panel, featuring an all‑athlete group of distinguished voices in sport integrity and athlete welfare:
- Diana Bianchedi, OLY
- Martina Caironi, PLY
- Mitch Gourley, PLY
- April Holmes, PLY
- Brad Snyder, PLY
The conversation was guided by Benita Fitzgerald Mosley, OLY, SafeSport CEO and LA84 Gold Medalist, whose leadership and experience brought depth and focus to the discussion.
Together, the panelists explored best practices in athlete safeguarding, shared lessons learned from their own journeys, and emphasized the importance of international cooperation in creating safer sport environments worldwide.
A Global Effort, A Shared Commitment
The symposium underscored a universal truth: athlete safety transcends borders. By bringing together diverse perspectives from across the Paralympic community, the event reinforced the need for unified standards, open communication, and ongoing education to ensure that every athlete—regardless of nation, discipline, or ability—can train and compete without fear of abuse or misconduct.
A special thank‑you goes to House of Switzerland Italia 2026 for hosting this meaningful and timely conversation.
Learn More
To explore more about the symposium and the Center’s ongoing work in athlete safety, visit:
🔗https://uscenterforsafesport.org/paralympic-games-symposium/
You can also watch the event here:
🎥 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FVCmka6034