Simone Biles’ sponsors, including Athleta and Visa, are lauding her decision to put her mental health first and withdraw from the gymnastics team competition during the Olympics. It’s the latest example of sponsors praising athletes who are increasingly open about mental health issues.
(AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File)
Two of the world’s top athletes have raised awareness of mental health issues on the Olympic stage. An Olympian explains why mental training can be as important as physical training.
Canada’s Lisa Roman, Kasia Gruchalla-Wesierski, Christine Roper, Andrea Proske, Susanne Grainger, Madison Mailey, Sydney Payne, Avalon Wasteneys and Kristen Kit celebrate on the podium after winning the gold medal in women’s eight rowing competition at the Tokyo Olympics.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
The past 18 months have tested the mental and physical limits of Olympic athletes in their pursuit of the Tokyo Games. That’s what makes the performances during these Olympics even more remarkable.
This May, Olympian bronze medallist Damian Warner set three new Decathlon Bests in 100m, long jump, and 110m hurdles, earning a new Canadian record for overall points.
(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Some Olympic athletes have thrived in the year-long delay leading up to the Tokyo Games, using the extra time off to improve their performance and shatter national records.
American sprinter Allyson Felix celebrates with her daughter Camryn after finishing second in the women’s 400-metre race at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials on June 20.
(AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Concerns about holding the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games during a state of emergency highlights just how much power the International Olympic Committee wields over the global sporting world.
Maintaining physical condition, mental focus and motivation during the pandemic has been a challenge.
Bob Daemmrich / Alamy Stock Photo
There needs to be significant change in the administration of athletics programs. The global pause in sporting competitions is a unique opportunity to begin the urgent work of making it safe for women
Low energy availability is a condition that happens when athletes restrict their diet in the belief weight loss will improve performance.
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Top US runner Mary Cain has revealed her health was ruined by being told to lose weight for performance.
More than 200 gene variants have been linked to outstanding sporting performance and this number could increase as we continue to research the link between genetics and athlete performance.
Lukas Coch/AAP
Genetic testing could help us build targeted and effective training routines for athletes, but the emerging science could also introduce opportunity for discrimination in the sporting world.
What helps an athlete leap tall distances in a single bound?
AP Photo/Tom Lynn
Sports training often involves exposure to challenging situations to boost performance. But this can cross the line into emotional abuse. Here’s how to recognise when that happens.
Uncertainty hangs in the air for Jose Mourinho.
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Clinician Scientist, Canada Research Chair in Injury Prevention and Physical Activity for Health, Sport Medicine Physician, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University