In a ceremony full of pride and commitment, the Olympic Museum of Lausanne witnessed the graduation of the participants of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) diplomas and certifications. The Pan American Taekwondo Union (PATU) is honored to announce that Dr. Nellys Rios, Director of the PATU Education Committee, was part of this outstanding cohort, earning the title of Safeguarding Officer in Sport, a crucial certification for the safety and well-being of athletes in the sporting arena.
This achievement, sponsored by the World Taekwondo, was part of a pilot program with the objective of training one representative from each continent in the field of safeguarding, covering key topics such as the prevention and management of abuse, harassment and violence in sport. Dr. Rios, with her commitment and dedication, joins this global effort, promoting a safe and respectful sporting environment for all athletes and members of the sporting community.
PATU President, Juan Manuel Lopez, expressed his appreciation to Dr. Rios: “It is an honor for us to have a professional of Dr. Nellys Rios' stature on our team. Her certification in safeguarding is a firm step towards creating an environment of respect and protection in Taekwondo. At PATU, we strongly believe in continuous training and empowerment of our leaders to ensure that the well-being of our athletes is at the core of our mission.”
With this certification, Dr. Nellys Rios not only represents PATU and the Pan American Taekwondo community, but positions herself as a pillar of change in the area of safeguarding in sport worldwide, in line with the principles and objectives of the International Olympic Committee and World Taekwondo.