The protection of athletes is a segment of the sports field that is not sufficiently developed in Montenegro. This is shown by a study conducted by the Center for the Promotion of Sports and Youth - CAMS, as part of the project "Sport without Barriers".
The worrying results of the research, conducted at the level of national sports federations, showed, among other things, that "1 in 3 sports federations in Montenegro does not know who to report cases of violence, discrimination or neglect," while "72% of federations have never attended training in the field of athlete protection."
These data clearly indicate the need to raise awareness about the importance of protecting male and female athletes, as well as to empower sports organizations to develop appropriate protection mechanisms.
"I deeply believe that every athlete, regardless of gender, background or ability, deserves to develop in a safe, supportive and inclusive environment. The "Sport Without Barriers" project is more than an initiative, because it was created as our shared vision of a future in which the protection of the dignity, rights and potential of every athlete are unquestionable priorities."
"The results of the research clearly show the need to strengthen the protection of all athletes, especially those from vulnerable groups. These results are both our call to action and a reminder that the strength of sport lies in its ability to leave no one behind. The Montenegrin Olympic Committee will continue to be a reliable partner in all initiatives that improve the safety, equality and integrity of sport in our country," said the Deputy Secretary General of the Montenegrin Olympic Committee and Coordinator for Athlete Protection, Maja Peković.
The "Sport Without Barriers" project addresses the key issues of abuse, discrimination and neglect in sport, especially of vulnerable groups such as children, women, ethnic minorities and people with disabilities.
"The project aims to empower male and female athletes, as well as all participants in sports, to report and adequately address cases of violence, abuse and harassment. Through project activities, we want to contribute to building a culture of openness, responsibility and adequate support in sports in Montenegro," said Milorad Šutulović, project manager at the Center for the Promotion of Sports and Youth.
As a continuation of the project activities, CAMS is organizing the event "Safe Sport for All: Challenges and Opportunities in Implementing Safety Practices in Montenegrin Sport", which will be held on Thursday, May 15, 2025, starting at 10 am, at the Voco Hotel, in Podgorica.
The project is implemented with the support of the regional project SMART Balkans - Civil Society for a Connected Western Balkans, implemented by the Center for the Promotion of Civil Society (CPCD), the Center for Research and Policy Making (CRPM) and the Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM), and financially supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Norway.
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