Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros, Global CEO of the Sport Integrity Global Alliance, delivered a keynote presentation at the Athlete Welfare in Sport Conference 2026 – “Protecting Our Athletes”, hosted by SIGA Member European Aquatics.
The presentation focused on SIGA’s Universal Standards on Youth Development and Protection in Sport and the urgent need for global Sport to move “from reaction to prevention” in matters of safeguarding and athlete welfare.
In his remarks, Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros stressed that safeguarding is not a secondary issue, but a core governance responsibility:
“Safeguarding and youth development are not peripheral to governance — they are governance.”
Addressing the need for stronger systems, accountability and independent scrutiny across Sport Organisations, he added:
“Integrity checks are a must – this is what SIGA’s Universal Standards on Youth Development & Protection demand. Good intentions are not enough.”
The keynote highlighted the importance of practical and measurable safeguarding systems capable of protecting young athletes from abuse, exploitation, discrimination and trafficking, while reinforcing the role of independent verification and certification through SIRVS.
Referring to the role of leadership in Sport, Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros stated:
“We need heroes not just on the pitch but where decisions are made in the board room. There is a momentum & appetite for real change in the global sports industry.”
Closing the keynote, he left a direct message to the global sports ecosystem:
“If we truly believe that sport has the power to shape lives, then we must ensure it never has the power to harm them.”
Earlier, when opening the conference António José Silva, European Aquatics president, reinforced a message that stands at the heart of Sport Integrity:
“Without trust, protection, and accountability, there can be no sustainable sporting system.”
In his remarks, António José Silva highlighted that athlete welfare is not a peripheral issue, but “a core pillar of governance, responsibility and identity as a sport organisation”, stressing the need for safeguarding structures that are embedded across the entire sporting ecosystem.
Importantly, he also underlined the relevance of collaboration with organisations such as SIGA, recognising the importance of a coordinated, cross-sector approach to safeguarding, integrity and athlete protection.
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ABOUT SIGA
SIGA is the world’s leading organisation for Sport Integrity. We are creating a whole new landscape for the sports industry by delivering independent global rating and certification for world Sport to ensure it is governed and operates under the highest integrity standards: The SIGA Universal Standards.
Funded by our Members, SIGA is a non for profit global independent organisation with one aim: To ensure the sport industry is governed under the highest integrity standards so that the values of sport are protected.
SIGA is the only organisation to bring together sport, governments, academia, international organisations, sponsors, business, rights holders, NGOs and professional services companies, from every region in the world, around a common cause of fostering greater integrity throughout sport.
SIGA is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, as a non for-profit association, and comprises of the following continental subsidiaries: SIGA AMERICA, SIGA EUROPE and SIGA LATIN AMERICA.
For more information on SIGA, including its vision, mission and reform agenda, please refer to the website: www.siga-sport.com and FAQs.
To contact SIGA, please email: comms@siga-sport.com.