"Democratically elected governments, who would usually call for civic engagement, seem to prefer athletes that move only those muscles that do not affect the tongue.", says Jens Sejer Andersen, International director at Play the Game, ahead of the Play the Game 2019 conference.

When Play the Game kicks off its 11th world communication conference on society and sport the main theme will be athlete activism and the rights of athletes.

Play the Game and the World Players Association are working together to feature the knowledge and experience of the global player movement. Members of the IOC, WADA and other athlete committees will also join the conference.

A new report from US Congress highlights that the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and USA Gymnastics failed to protect its athletes from sexual abuse. The investigators propose a new bill that challenges the autonomy of sport.

Traditionally, Japanese sport has a tough hierarchy, but in the run up to next year’s Olympic Games in Tokyo both the media and the public has begun to critically examine the traditional practice.

One in five Canadian athletes surveyed in a new report have experienced maltreatment including emotional, physical and sexual abuse, harassment and neglect. In another case, testimonies from dozens of Danish swimmers about a psychologically abusive coaching environment paint a similar picture.

After more than two months of deliberations, CAS dismisses South African runner Caster Semeneya’s motion to amend proposed rules on female athletes with high levels of testosterone. Critics call the decision ‘shocking’ and ‘dissapointing’.

An open letter from athlete coalition Global Athlete urges athletes at IOC’s Athletes’ Forum to ask for ‘concrete solutions’ to the many calls for reform coming from an increasingly strong athlete voice.