British Lawmaker and Activist Urges Creation of National Sports Ombuds

Paralympian, parliamentarian, and BBC commentator, Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson has completed a major independent report into athlete welfare in British sport. Her report lists seven priority recommendations for improving standards and the first is the creation of a Sports Ombudsman.


 The report says:

The government should create a Sports Ombudsman (or Sports Duty of Care Quality Commission). This organisation should have powers to hold national governing bodies (NGBs) to account for the Duty of Care they provide to all athletes, coaching staff and support staff, providing independent assurance and accountability to address many of the issues covered by this review. 

The report explains that the Sport Ombudsman should be separate from UK Sport to ensure operational independence and to maintain public confidence. (Duty of Care in Sport Report; Daily Mail.)

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