It’s no secret that becoming an Olympian is one of the most impressive athletic achievements; one that many can only dream of. Becoming the biggest of them all, a true G.O.A.T. (The Greatest of All Time), is not for the faint of heart.
When it comes to sporting success stories, we immediately think of legendary athletes such as Simone Biles, Naomi Osaka, or Michael Phelps. And yet, whilst being incredibly different, these elite competitors all have one thing in common: they have all openly spoken about the mental health of athletes.
Turns out, winning medals is about so much more than just physical fitness, it’s all about a specific mindset, a winning attitude, a strong sense of resilience, and a healthy mind.
The importance of mental health for Olympic athletes cannot be overstated. Just as there is a crucial mind-body connection in achieving peak physical performance, taking care of one's mental health is equally vital. Elite athletes have to prioritise self-care and allow themselves time to recover mentally, just as they would for a physical injury, even if that means taking time off from their beloved sport - read more on this in our 'And Still, She Rose' article on Simone Biles.
And, unfortunately, whilst the public often only sees the moments of excellence and victory, many athletes have spoken about the private anguish taking place behind the scenes. So as a reader, as a spectator, as a coach, or as a sponsor, it's essential to remember that athletes are humans first, with emotions and lives beyond their sport.
On a big scale, the Olympics, and sports in general, can serve as a powerful platform for broader societal conversations, including the importance of mental health. Notably, some of the greatest athletes, like Phelps, have openly discussed the "Olympic come down," also known as post-Olympic depression, highlighting that the struggle with mental health issues is a common experience among many successful and elite athletes.
Psychiatrist Alan Currie, a member of the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) mental health working group, praised the open-conversation approach in Paris, noting that some athletes have become active ambassadors. For example, Olympic athlete Holly Bradshaw described also experiencing post-Olympic blues, leading her to contribute her experience to academic research where 14 anonymous athletes discussed feeling like "medal-winning machines" and struggling after the Games.
Based on some of these conversations, the IOC had already started to recognise the need for support ahead of the games in Tokyo; but with the games now in full swing, the Paris 2024 Olympics have proven to be the most dedicated and supportive games yet in prioritising athlete’s mental health, with new and updated measures continuously being put in place.
The committee has used this year’s competition to launch an athlete-focused mindfulness program that provides 2,000 athletes with access to the Calm app, as part of an effort to support mental health and well-being. A mental fitness helpline is currently also available for all teams, 24/7. Additionally, athletes competing in Paris, and for four years afterwards, can access mental health and well-being support in their home countries in over 70 languages. The Olympic Village has also increased its mental-health-focused amenities, with a designated "mentally fit zone" for mental decompression, alongside a gym to provide a quiet space away from the noise of the competition.
New technology is also being used as a support tool. AI was introduced to detect and remove abusive content on social media. The content is identified and forwarded for human review, with any confirmed abusive comments being removed from the platform before the person it targets can see it. Any criminal content is then reported to law enforcement.
Kirsty Burrows, head of the Safe Sport unit at the IOC, emphasises the importance of these supportive environments for athletes, saying that “they should feel that there are support systems around them. They should feel if they have a concern around mental health or well-being or any areas, that they are able to speak up and they’re able to seek support. And there are systems in place that help them to do that”.
As part of the IOC’s efforts to recognise that athletes’ mental health needs are as important for their performance and well-being as their physical health needs, and that good mental health means much more than the absence of a mental health symptom or disorder, they created the ‘The Mental Health Action Plan’ with key targets for 2026.
This new action plan, guided by principles of human rights, equity, evidence-based practice, and collaboration, outlines the IOC's strategy for promoting mental well-being across its four areas of responsibility: the IOC as an organisation, as the owner of the Olympic Games, as the leader of the Olympic Movement, and in society. By 2026, the plan aims to achieve key objectives in five focus areas:
Culture and leadership: Championing policies that recognise the importance of mental health.
Measurement and research: Enhancing understanding of mental health in elite athletes and under-researched groups, with a focus on cross-cultural differences.
Reduce prevalence and improve well-being: Developing tools and initiatives to improve mental health literacy, reduce stigma, and address sport-specific stressors.
Improve care: Creating psychologically safe environments and facilitating access to necessary support.
Improve access to sport: Promoting the mental health benefits of sports, particularly in resource-limited settings, through Olympism365.
By embracing the importance of mental health and creating a supportive environment, we can empower athletes to reach their fullest potential, both on and off the field. Together, let's champion a culture where every athlete can shine, both in moments of victory and in their journey of growth and well-being. Now is the time to go for gold — not just in performance, but in creating a world where mental health is as valued as physical prowess. Let's support our athletes in their pursuit of excellence, ensuring they have the tools and support they need to thrive.
The future of sport is bright and, with a holistic approach to well-being, the sky's the limit.