Yesterday, the report Vlammende Ambitie (“Burning Ambition”) was published – a large-scale study into the culture of elite sports in the Netherlands. More than 1,200 elite athletes, over 200 coaches and nearly 100 former athletes shared their experiences. The conclusion is clear: performance should no longer be the sole standard of success. Health, safety and athlete well-being deserve consistent attention.
Key findings
- 1 in 4 elite athletes experienced physical, mental and/or verbal abuse in 2024.
- 6% reported experiencing unwanted sexual behaviour.
- Athletes with a migration background face twice as much discrimination and bullying.
- Sleep problems, mental pressure and physical complaints are widespread.
Relevance for the dance world:
While the study focuses on elite sports, there are clear parallels with the dance sector. Like in sport, dancers often start young, face high performance pressure, and operate within a strong hierarchy between choreographer, teacher and performer. Dans Veilig recognises the urgency expressed in the report and supports the call for a human-centred approach, where dancers can grow safely – not just as performers, but also as people.
Read the full report (in Dutch)
The full research report can be downloaded via the Verinorm website.
