EVEN SUPERHEROES NEED A DAY OFF 

Words Bevery Pokuah

Credit: Shutterstock

The world’s most decorated gymnast in World Championship history, Simone Biles, is not only a role model but a modern-day superhero. Not because she can push through her pain as expected, for yet another gold medal but this time she is playing on her own terns. With the entire world watching, she pulled out of a major event and so can you. You can put yourself first. 

Athletes are used to dealing with pressure, but the Tokyo Olympics has thrown several unique challenges that have been impossible to prepare for. This year’s games have brought mental health to the center stage and only a few weeks ago, Japanese Tennis player Naomi Osaka also withdrew after the second round at Roland Garros as organisers attempted to get her to press conferences. Athletes would usually rely on their families for support in stressful situations, but Tokyo’s Covid bubble which forces athletes to travel without family and friends, has removed a source of reassurance and hope. Athletes go through immense pressure of living up to public, social, and personal expectations and the thought of the weight of the world on their shoulders, but the question is why is it so difficult for athletes to put their mental health first?

Both Biles and Osaka received a largely sympathetic response, but this hasn’t always been the case. The Covid era has increased awareness of mental health issues, especially in sport. During her press conference after pulling out of the team competition where the USA took home silver, Biles stated:

"I have to do what’s right for me and focus on my mental health and not jeopardize my health and well-being[and] that’s why I decided to take a step back."

The 24-year-old assured viewers that she feels great physically but being ‘head star’ at the Olympics is taking its toll emotionally. In an Instagram post earlier this week, she told 5.1 million followers that “I know I brush it off and make it seem like pressure doesn’t affect me but damn sometimes it’s hard.” Attending the Olympics is any athlete's dream, Biles wanted it to be for herself. When Biles started to feel like her reasons for competing were being drowned out by the constant pressure to please others, she felt a kind of detachment from her first love.  She made a bold decision to take a back seat and trust that her teammates would bring home the medal. The act of leadership and maturity she displayed is one that many others wouldn’t, one that will hopefully cause a ripple effect and encourage open discussion about mental fitness. 

Preparing for major sporting events is demanding, physically and mentally, for athletes of all ages and demographics. Years of training and practice cannot substitute a well-rested mind. A balance must be created between the process and the outcome, so that athletes can avoid falling into the threat state which is (experienced when the situation is perceived as leading to failure with no available strategies to cope with it) and maintain a challenged mindset which is (whenthere is an opportunity for self-growth with available coping strategies) In order optimize performance and gain the best results.

If we acknowledge that a physically injured athlete is not fit to compete, then we must also accept that one whose mind isn’t at its peak should also take time out to rest and recharge.  The Tokyo games, originally set to take place last year, will be a major turning point in the conversation on mental health in athletes; It’s wellbeing first, performance second.