In recent years, the media coverage of psychological difficulties experienced by certain athletes has initiated a freeing of speech around this subject in high-level sport. Global awareness of this issue allows the implementation of support systems for athletes in their preparation, but also with a view to the smooth running of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Could this be the end of the war for medals?
The Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games highlighted lightlight the problems of the psychological well-being of athletes, with the withdrawal of several events of the gymnast Simone Biles, expressing her phase shift physicalphysical and mental. This case highlighted a broader reality among high-level athletes, because although the vast majority of athletes testify to the stress felt during their post-career, a few active ones are now speaking out.
A third of athletes are anxious or depressed
A 2019 study published in the British journal of sports and medicine and unveiled by the International Olympic Committee (IOC)) shows that internationally, 33.6% of active athletes and 26.4% of retirees have suffered from anxiety or depression, and almost half have already had sleep disorders. At the French level, a survey carried out by the FondaMental foundation in partnership with Harris Interactive at the National Institute of Sport, Expertise and Performance (Insep) showed that 15% of the athletes questioned have already shown in their career elevated signs of anxiety or depression.
These first psychological difficulties occur on average from the age of 17, and can be due to multiple causes: early family estrangement, pressurepressure of the entourage and supporters, expectations of sponsors and bettors, burden of the effort and the expected result… So many risks accentuated by the social networkssocial networks.
Government awareness
On April 18, the Minister of Sports and the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Amélie Oudea-Castera, as well as the Secretary of State responsible for DigitalDigitalMarina Ferrari, organized a meeting dedicated to the mental health of athletes: “ The psychological balance of athletes deserves our full attention: their life context exposes them to increased risks, they must be supported commensurate with these risks”these were the words of the minister.
“The psychological balance of athletes deserves our full attention: their life context exposes them to increased risks, they must be supported commensurate with these risks. ”
In this context of government awareness, several measures have been introduced, or will be introduced in the coming months. Since the beginning of June, athletes have had an online section dedicated to psychological support, linked to the “my psychological support” system. During the games, three psychologists, the “ welfare officers », will be present in the performance house dedicated to the French team, alongside a “ safeguarding officer “. In addition, particular attention will be paid to issues of cyber-harassment, and to the digital well-being of athletes in general. But what about their management of pressure to perform?
Are medals no longer the objective of the Olympic Games?
The quest for medals remains a priority for many nations who invest heavily in the Olympic preparation of their athletes, infrastructure and equipment. However, the obsession with results, considering only the medals, diminishes the value of the Olympic Games — and of sport in general — in addition to causing significant stress among athletes. This year, some countries have therefore chosen not to set medal targets for the Paris Olympic Games in order to reduce pressure on athletes.
While Japan and Australia emphasize the importance of valuing personal challenges over medal results, other countries such as the United Kingdom, France, and the Netherlands continue to pursue medal goals – – Emmanuel Macron hopes to obtain around fifty medals and rank among the top five nations at the Olympic Games, and the top eight at the Paralympic Games.
Considering the mental health of athletes alongside the celebration of their records, will the Paris 2024 Olympic Games mark a change in mentality compared to the traditional culture of performance in sport?
