With the fight to destigmatize mental health issues in sports becoming an increasingly important topic in the media, now is the time to reevaluate the pressure we put on athletes.
Fans around the world expect athletes to maintain a “win-at-all-costs” mentality regardless of the situation. This has placed an exorbitant amount of pressure on many of the athletes we have grown to adore and love. This pressure can place athletes in an awkward position of deciding whether to focus on their health or continue competing to avoid letting their fans down.
Simone Biles is a prime example of an athlete having to decide whether or not to place her health at risk to appease the millions of fans watching around the world. While attending the Olympics, Biles made the difficult and brave decision to step away from her sport to attend to her mental health. Her decision sent social media into a whirlwind.
While many were in support of her decision, quite a few others saw her decision as a letdown to her team and country. This mentality of athletes needing to push through ailments, whether physical or mental, is what places so much pressure on athletes who are already dealing with so much.
Once the Olympics have ended and the medal ceremonies have come to a close, these ailments stay with these athletes for longer than many of us even know. This is why it is so much more important for athletes to focus on their health rather than an award or medal, because it’s OK not to be OK.
Another important reason why athletes have to be allowed to take the time to focus on their mental health is because of the dangers that may be associated with “persevering” through ailments. Outside of the obvious issue of permanently injuring yourself due to continuing to perform with a physical injury, mental focus is necessary to avoiding catastrophic injury. Without mental stability, focus dissipates and the athlete’s performance and safety can be endangered.
As Biles was still deciding whether she would compete in the remainder of her gymnastic events, she informed the press that she was still suffering from the “twisties.” Biles even said she “literally can not tell up from down,” meaning that she had no idea where or how she was going to land on the mat. She also posted videos of her practicing dismounts on the uneven bars, one of which showed her falling onto the mat in frustration as the condition seemed to have her in a state of confusion.
Persevering through ailments such as this could place an athlete, especially one who performs such incredibly advanced moves, in a position that could lead to serious or even fatal injury.
Biles isn’t alone in her fight to open up the discussion about mental health. Naomi Osaka, a tennis player from Japan, faced backlash from officials and the media as well as a $15,000 fine a few weeks before the Olympics after refusing to do a press conference she was contractually obligated to attend at the French Open in favor of focusing on her mental health.
Athletes are seen as invincible and are pushed to put their sport before their own health and well-being, but maybe it’s time for us all to take a step back and consider that they are extremely necessary to perform at the highest possible level. Whether you’re a superstar athlete or simply someone who is struggling with your own mental health as a result of the many stressors in life, it’s OK to not be OK.
