Ticker Views
How do Olympic athletes handle stress during a pandemic? | ticker VIEWS
Australia’s entire athletics team at the Tokyo Olympics went into temporary isolation, after an American athlete they had been in contact with, tested positive for Covid-19
The team of 63 and were briefly confined to their hotel rooms, undergoing Covid-19 tests and under strict protocols. There are now reports the athletes are starting to exit the temporary isolation.
As Thomas Bach, the president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) says, this will be “the most restrictive sporting event in the world”.
Dr. Glen Hosking is a Lecturer in Psychology and a registered Clinical Psychologist and says the Olympics is a highly stressful event in normal circumstances and the health pandemic only adds to the stress.
Team psychology methods
The Olympics is the peak of sport for many athletes and it comes with heightened stress. In an event like this, the sense of team is more important than ever.
Therefore, Dr. Hosking says the idea of connection in the Tokyo Village supports the mental state of the athletes. Without family or friends there to cheer from the sidelines, having each other fills that void.
” There’s a sense of team psychology, to work towards a common goal. This will help the athletes.”
DR. GLEN HOSKING- CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST
No crowds impacting athletes
Televised sport has been welcome news for those around the world cheering from home. But, according to Dr. Hosking without crowds at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, will inevitably impact the mental state of the athletes.
“For the bulk of their competitive lives they have been performing in front of crowds.”
DR GLEN HOSKING
Withdrawals so far due to mental health
Australian Basketball player Liz Cambage withdrew from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics citing fear of a “bubble Olympics”
American Gymnast Simone Biles withdrew from the Tokyo Olympics citing a “medical issue.”
https://twitter.com/Simone_Biles/status/1420561448883802118?s=20
https://twitter.com/TheBatMarino/status/1420111786024464386?s=20
There is no doubt being an elite athlete comes with adversities. This is most likely not the first time they have faced and overcome challenges.
However, every athlete competing, whether they make it to the podium or not deserves recognition for competing under such strict and unprecedented measures.