International congress: Québec City shapes the future of safe sport research

Professor Sylvie Parent is not only a full-time professor at Université Laval. She is also a pioneer in the fight against abuse and harassment in sport. As a former track and field athlete, she became aware of the extent of these issues during her studies in kinesiology and sport management.

Her career has been defined by significant contributions, including the creation of an independent complaint mechanism in Québec in 2021. This mechanism later evolved into the Protecteur de l'intégrité en loisir et en sport. In 2020, she established SIMS, a research chair now recognized internationally. Today, this chair includes 26 researchers and over 50 students, energizing the field of safe sport and enabling this first global congress to become a reality.

From June 18 to 20, 2025, the Québec City Convention Centre was transformed into a hub for safe sport research. This inaugural event addressed a long-standing need for a collaborative international platform where researchers, often working in isolation across fields like sociology, psychology, law, and public health, could come together to exchange ideas and build partnerships.

More than 270 participants from 21 countries attended, far surpassing initial expectations. Among them were leading researchers, students, and sport decision-makers. Delegates included representatives from major organizations such as FIFA and the Olympic Movement. Several key figures from Québec’s sport community were also in attendance, ensuring strong local participation.

To develop the program, Sylvie Parent worked closely with an international scientific committee made up entirely of leading women researchers in the field. Together, they built the content around the Safe Sport Framework, a well-regarded model for addressing integrity and safety in sport. Core topics included the prevention of interpersonal violence, physical and environmental safety such as injury and doping prevention, and the optimization of sport through equity, diversity, inclusion, and human rights. More than 150 speakers shared their research findings over two and a half days of sessions.

Selecting Québec City as the host was both logical and strategic. As a project born from Université Laval’s research chair, it was essential for Sylvie Parent to hold the first edition in a well-established academic and institutional ecosystem.

This congress laid the foundation for a new wave of international momentum in the field of safe sport, with several important outcomes:

• A consultation confirmed strong interest in launching a global association for safe sport research, with the initiative expected to move forward in the coming months.
• A proposal for an international scientific journal linked to this association is already underway, ensuring knowledge dissemination beyond the event.
• The next edition of the congress has been confirmed for 2027 in Antwerp, Belgium, further reinforcing its long-term value and global reach.

Québec City emerged not only as a premier host for major congresses but also as a thought leader in advancing safe sport research and practices.

This first global gathering on safe sport reflects Québec City’s expertise in organizing high-impact scientific events. It firmly positions the region as a go-to destination for international conventions in social sciences and sport innovation.

For Sylvie Parent, the journey was demanding, but the outcome surpassed all expectations. It is yet another example that when it comes to advancing ideas and knowledge, Québec stands out for its expertise, its hospitality, and its unique ability to unite the people who shape tomorrow’s solutions.