Do you feel empty and miss the musical theme of Paris 2024? It’s probably worse for athletes: a quarter of them could suffer from psychological distress in the weeks and months to come, if the results of a survey conducted between 2018 and 2019 among participants in the Olympic and Paralympic Games are to be believed. Overall, there is no shortage of studies documenting the obstacles to athletes’ mental health throughout an Olympic cycle.
Burn-outs, eating disorders, anxiety and depression sometimes go hand in hand with the quest for medals. But even after competition, Olympians risk serious psychological declines due to a loss of meaning, purpose and identity. And this is even more true for those who retire from sports. Karen Cogan, chief psychologist at the United States Olympic Committee, has worked on seven Olympics since 2010: more and more athletes are telling her about “period of discouragement” just after the Games.
The Olympic Games represent a media whirlwind for these athletes. From all over the world, eyes are on their performances, sponsors are investing in their results. Some become the darlings of the Games, while others suffer scandals and harassment. Not to mention the pressure inherent in representing your country and competing for medals. And suddenly, nothing. “That excitement and intensity that surrounds an Olympian fades very quickly”observes Karen Cogan.
Briana Scurry, former goalkeeper for the United States soccer team, with whom she was a two-time Olympic champion, knows the difficulty of this transition. She encourages athletes to start thinking about retirement early and ask themselves: “What am I without my sport?” According to her, many of the skills and mental abilities of a top athlete can be reused as part of their second life plan, in the private sector. “When your life as an Olympic athlete endsshe said, you get a lot of time back for other parts of your life.”
Think about something other than your sport
We know that the world of sport is gradually eliminating the taboo of mental health. Great athletes like Simone Biles, Michael Phelps and Noah Lyles have shared their flaws and raised awareness among the general public and their colleagues about these issues. “The problem was that we thought that athletes were strong, tough, that they solved their problems themselvestestifies Karen Cogan. Everyone imagined them to be perfect. But they are like us: they also have personal difficulties.
These gradual changes in mentality make it easier for Olympians to open up and get help. Mental health experts even advise them to seek follow-up well before the start of the Games. “When an athlete is finalizing his preparation, it is not the best time to have these kinds of conversationsnotes Andrew Friesen, mental performance consultant and kinesiologist at Pennsylvania State University. “It would be like asking a fiancé if he has already contacted a divorce notary.”
While Simone Biles’ withdrawal from the 2021 Tokyo Olympics sparked its share of vindictive reactions, athletes and psychologists now agree that the sports industry has made progress towards a better balance between work and personal life. Mental health is monitored much more – but not yet enough – before, during, and after the Olympics. Three clinical psychologists take care of French athletes with this in mind.
US Rowing Team rower Kate Knifton, who competed in her first Games in 2024, confirms that she and her teammates are open about their mental health. “Athletes do not hesitate to consult psychologists outside of trainingshe indicates. And everyone understands very well if someone needs to take a break.”
To prepare for the Olympic Games, Kate Knifton chose to devote herself fully to rowing. But for the future, she plans to work alongside the competition. “Not forcing myself to find other hobbies outside of rowing wore me out mentally”she said. His first efforts? Cook, read and hang out with your teammates more often.
