PARIS — Three years after gymnastics superstar Simone Biles made athletes’ mental health a central focus at the Tokyo Olympics, the Paris Games will show how increased awareness has translated into better care and support.
Biles famously withdrew from most of the competition midway through the Tokyo Olympics after struggling with mental problems and “twisties,” a form of mid-air disorientation known to affect some gymnasts.
Ahead of the start of the 2024 Paris Games, local organisers, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and international sports federations have stressed that lessons have been learned.
For the first time in Olympic history, athletes will have access to a “mindfulness and relaxation area” called the 365 Athlete365 Mind Zone, located above the main gym in the Athletes Village.
Participants will be provided with virtual reality headsets for meditation, sleep pods and even art activities in a low-light environment designed to be soothing and tranquil.
“It’s going to be very Zen, like a futuristic spa,” said Kirsty Burrows, the IOC’s head of safety and sport.
The athletes’ village will also feature alcohol-free bars and social areas where athletes can relax, as well as guides on how to avoid too much screen time and maintain good mental health.
“Just as an athlete wouldn’t want to stuff themselves with burgers and sweets before competing, it’s also not a good idea to binge watch TikTok or Instagram and stuff yourself with videos from social media,” said Laurent Dallard, Paris 2024’s health coordinator.
All Olympic and Paralympic athletes will also have access to mental health helplines in 70 languages.
Burrows added that around 90 national sports teams will bring in their own mental health welfare officers, taking advantage of a new type of competition accreditation system available from the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
Experts say studies have shown that elite athletes suffer from mental illness at roughly the same rates as the general population.
But Dallal stressed that they “face complex lives and intense pressures that make them more vulnerable to conditions such as anxiety and depression”.
According to psychiatrist Marion Leboyer, “about one in three athletes suffers from mental health symptoms.”
It has long been a taboo subject, but thanks to confessions from stars such as Biles, Japanese tennis player Naomi Osaka and Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe, many are now opening up about their struggles.
Paris 2024 will also take efforts to combat cyber harassment and bullying to a new level with the help of AI.
“I’m really pleased about the cybersecurity issues around social media and the trolling of athletes,” said Alan Currie, a psychiatrist who advises the IOC.
“This is a big step forward because that’s the part where the pressure is really on for the athletes.”
The IOC, following the lead of FIFA, World Rugby and several Premier League soccer clubs, has partnered with London-based data company Signify.ai to help filter out inappropriate posts from the billions expected to be generated during the Games.
Signify uses artificial intelligence to monitor messages addressed to athletes in 35 languages on platforms like Facebook, TikTok and X, flagging potential harassment or threats.
“Anything that violates criminal laws will be referred to law enforcement,” Burrows said.
The service will be offered to all 15,000 athletes competing in the Olympic and Paralympic Games, but will be opt-in. AFP
