“Human Rights Empowered through Rights of Athletes” (H.E.R.O. ) is a 24-month projects that addresses the complex and multifaceted issue of human rights violations in sport. The core objective is to respect, protect, and promote athletes’ human rights by supporting sport bodies in developing appropriate and effective strategies and mechanisms for prevention and response to abuse. The project is focused on enhancing scientific literature in the field, developing evidence-based recommendations, and fostering a culture that respects and promotes the dignity and rights of athletes, both on and off the field of play. The initiative recognises that while international bodies like the IOC and FIFA have adopted human rights policies, significant challenges remain, as evidenced by recent scandals involving sexual, emotional, and psychological abuse, as well as various forms of discrimination.

To tackle these issues, H.E.R.O. is designed to produce several key outputs, including a comprehensive ‘Protocol for Athlete Human Rights Protection’ to guide sport organisations and stakeholders on prevention and remedy of abuse. The project will also develop and implement an online training program called ‘Protect Athletes’ Human Rights’ to enhance the capacity of sport institutions to effectively respond to allegations of abuse. Furthermore, the plan includes organising onsite workshops to directly raise awareness among athletes, coaches, and managers about the importance of human rights in sports, contributing to digital transformation in the realm of sports-related education through innovative e-learning tools.