Crucial role of mental health and wellness for athletes in the Olympics

High performance is the amalgamation of tactical strengths and mental fortitude. In an elite athlete’s life competition becomes the single source of evaluation and they carry the burden of these expectations throughout their sporting career. Mental health and wellness play a critical role in an Olympian’s journey as they constantly navigate immense pressure, scrutiny, and performance expectations.A strong mindset can be the differentiator between success and failure, and there are several champions citing mental preparation as significant for their medal-winning performances.
From a biopsychosocial perspective, an athlete’s performance is influenced by the dynamic interplay of biological factors (genetics, physiology, nutrition), psychological factors (confidence, focus, motivation), and social factors (support networks, team dynamics). When athletes experience a positive balance and are supported on all three dimensions, they are more likely to achieve optimal performance and overall well-being. In sport, mindset holds a fairly large share at the elite level. “Mindset is everything, if you do not have the right mindset, you cant perform your best”, said Simone Biles. The same sentiment was echoed when Eluid Kipchoge said “My training regimen includes visualisation and meditation to stay focused and motivated”. Champion stories demonstrate the value of psychological strategies for mental preparation for high-performance.

With 3 gold medals, trailblazer Simone Biles proudly shared her mental health journey highlighting the downfalls, accessing help, and continuing to work on her mental health. Biles said “The Olympics is such a draining process for the athletes. It’s multiple days of competitions so you definitely have to be on top of your mental as well as your physical and I’m still in therapy working on all that stuff to just make sure my mental health is well”. The US-gymnast proudly shared – “I kicked off the day with a therapy session, which set a positive tone. I told my therapist I felt calm and prepared—and that’s exactly how it turned out”. This is a game-changer for athletes! From Tokyo 2020 to Paris 2024, her willingness to speak out, shatter stigma, and access help has sparked a vital conversation around mental wellness in high-performance environments.
However, the high-stakes environment can also take a toll on an athlete’s mental health and well-being, exacerbating challenges such as anxiety and depression. Michale Phelps, the swimming stalwart, in 2004, after winning six gold and two bronze medals at the Athens Olympics, said he felt “post-Olympic depression” for the first time. “[You] work so hard for four years to get to that point, and then it’s like you’re…at the top of the mountain, you’re like what the hell am I supposed to do? Where am I supposed to go? Who am I?” he said. As a result, access to mental health support and sports psychologists is essential for athletes to build resilience and perform to their potential.
Champions are made in the mind. It is imperative to invest in athletes’ mental health and wellness to achieve Olympic-sized success.
(Dr Sanika Divekar, Senior Sports Psychologist, AMP – Athlete Mind Performance, a vertical of Mpower.)