Even the smallest mistakes can cause athletes to lose medals. So, what principles do they use to master their minds and compete under such pressure?
Participating in the Olympic Games is a proud achievement, but it also means facing the unique pressures and stresses of this event.
A swimmer athlete. (Photo: Nejron/Canva Pro).
Whether striving for victory in the breaststroke or aiming for a gold medal in modern pentathlon, psychology plays a crucial role in the success or failure of athletes.
In recent Olympics, the mental pressure of competing at the highest level has led to serious consequences for athletes. American gymnast Simone Biles withdrew from five events at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics to protect her mental health. Michael Phelps, a swimming legend, has also shared about his mental breakdown after competing in the Olympics.
Resilience
The ability to recover from failure, such as not achieving desired results or being injured, is incredibly important. Mental and behavioral recovery processes, such as emotional regulation, help athletes maintain focus and determination under the watchful eyes of the world.
Resilience is not a fixed trait but a dynamic process that develops through the interaction of personal characteristics, such as personality and psychological skills, with the surrounding environment, including social support.
A study in the UK in 2012 investigated the resilience of Olympic champions and found that a range of psychological factors, such as positive personality, motivation, confidence, focus, along with a sense of social support, helped athletes avoid the potential negative stressors of competing in the Olympics.
Social support means that athletes do not feel they are alone. If they have a network of family, friends, and good coaches, they will be empowered emotionally and motivated.
Resilience allows athletes to utilize their skills and personal qualities while protecting them from the negative impacts of unavoidable stressors when competing.
Focusing on the Present Moment
Awareness and focus on the present help athletes avoid feeling overwhelmed or caught up in the significance of the event and the pressure of medal expectations.
The pressure on athletes competing in the Olympics is very high. Pictured is athlete Simone Biles at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Athletes can use various strategies to help them focus on the present moment. Mindfulness meditation and breathing exercises help them calm down and concentrate. They may also use visualization techniques to practice specific movements or routines.
Many athletes rehearse their performances as if they are in a real competition to create a sense of normalcy and control. For example, a tennis player might bounce the ball a few times before serving.
Focusing on the present moment helps them reduce competitive stress, maintain concentration on the task, and perform to the best of their abilities.
Protecting Mental Health
Failure can devastate athletes, and they may also experience complex psychological developments after winning. Some athletes experience post-Olympic sadness, feelings of emptiness, loss of self-worth, and even depression after the Games, even when they have won medals.
In 2016, British cyclist Victoria Pendleton shared with The Telegraph: “It feels almost more pleasant to come second because you have a goal to aim for when you finish. But when you win, you suddenly feel lost.”
Olympic athletes need to prioritize foundational issues such as getting enough sleep and taking time to relax mentally. They must closely collaborate with support teams, such as nutrition experts, to ensure a balanced diet and protect their physical and mental health. They also need to work with sports psychologists throughout their training for the Olympics to manage the challenges they will face.
If an athlete struggles with stress leading up to the Olympics, they can practice mindfulness exercises or cognitive restructuring to help focus and change negative thought patterns.
Olympic athletes and their support teams need to care for both the human and athletic sides to ensure all health aspects are sound. By maintaining comprehensive health, athletes will have the opportunity to achieve their best performance and avoid post-Olympic blues when the Games are over.
