Athletenwohl

Athletenwohl is a concept that denotes the overall well-being and welfare of athletes, encompassing physical health, mental health, safety, and fair, sustainable development in sport. In sports science and policy discourse, the term is used to emphasize athlete-centered approaches that aim to prevent harm and support long-term welfare throughout an athlete’s career.

The scope of Athletenwohl includes medical care, injury prevention and rehabilitation, mental health support, and proper nutrition. It also covers safeguarding from abuse and harassment, anti-doping efforts, education about rights and responsibilities, and provisions for career development and transition after sport. Financial security and access to resources are often considered part of ensuring durable welfare.

Governance for implementing Athletenwohl involves international federations, national sports bodies, and athlete commissions that develop guidelines, codes of conduct, and safeguarding frameworks. Programs commonly provide access to sports medicine professionals, psychologists, safeguarding officers, and confidential reporting mechanisms, all informed by ongoing research on athlete welfare and ethics.

Challenges in realizing Athletenwohl include disparities in resources between countries, competing performance pressures, cultural variations in attitudes toward mental health and reporting, and ensuring effective enforcement and accountability. Balancing elite competition with holistic welfare requires continuous evaluation, investment, and collaboration among athletes, coaches, medical staff, and policymakers.

See also: athlete welfare, safeguarding in sport, sports medicine, safe sport.