UAOA Conference 2025: Standing United Against Online
The United Against Online Abuse (UAOA) campaign was launched in 2023 by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem in response to the growing crisis of online abuse across the sporting world. Guided by the pillars of Stronger Together, Evidence Led, and Committed to Action, UAOA was created to foster collaborative, cross-sector action that delivers measurable change. Its mission is clear: to tackle online abuse through research, education, and policy development, ensuring that athletes, officials, and fans can participate in sport without fear of harassment.
The UAOA Conference 2025 gathered leaders from sport, academia, technology, and government for a comprehensive 360° exploration of online harassment. Voices ranged from victims sharing their experiences to researchers, social media platforms, International Federations, and policymakers offering solutions. Together, they examined the causes, measured the impact, and identified actionable steps to create a safer digital environment for everyone in sport.
Opening the conference, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem reminded participants that online abuse is not an unsolvable challenge, stating:
“Everything created by humans can be fixed by humans.”
It was with this conviction that ARISF joined the UAOA Charter last year, not just as a symbolic gesture, but as a commitment to action. This milestone marked the beginning of a meaningful collaboration with UAOA, allowing ARISF to amplify awareness within the Olympic Movement and contribute the perspective of the IOC Recognised International Federations (IFs). Together, we are proving that when sporting institutions and dedicated initiatives unite, we can multiply our impact and take collective responsibility for safeguarding athletes and communities from online abuse.
ARISF President Dr. Raffaele Chiulli, representing ARISF’s forty International Federations, had the honour of opening the 2025 UAOA Conference alongside FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem. Several ARISF Members were present, sharing their expertise and experience in addressing online abuse within their respective sports. Their participation highlighted the strength of our community: diverse in disciplines yet united in purpose.
“No single organisation can tackle online abuse alone. By joining forces across sports, governments, academia, and technology, we can build a safer digital space for everyone involved in sport.”
Dr. Raffaele Chiulli, ARISF President
At ARISF, we strongly believe that unity is our greatest tool for change. When our members come together to listen, support, and stand by one another, we can transform sport into a safer and more inclusive environment, both on and off the field of play. The 2025 UAOA Conference was a powerful reminder that this is not just a conversation; it is a collective responsibility, and together we are taking action.
