Paris Olympics 2024: Organisers plan to help athletes deal with mental pressure

There are only 50 days left until the Paris Olympics 2024 to begin. As the City of Light prepares to welcome thousands of athletes and fans from around the world, it will be a test of how the Paris Games organizers deal with mental health of the athletes and whether greater awareness has translated into better care and support.

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'365 Athlete365 Mind Zone'

One of the challenges of the Paris Olympics 2024 event will be the 'mental pressure' of the athletes. That's why for the first time at an Olympics, competitors in Paris will have access to a “mindfulness and relaxation area” above the main gym in the village, called the “365 Athlete365 Mind Zone”.

Competitors will be offered virtual reality headsets for meditation, sleep pods, and even art activities, all in a low-lighting environment designed to be soothing and quiet.

Also in the village, athletes will have an alcohol-free bar and social areas to help them kick back, as well as guides on how to maintain good mental hygiene by avoiding too much time on screens.

A mental health helpline in 70 languages will also be available to all Olympic and Paralympic athletes.

Simone Biles put the topic of 'mental health' into limelight

American artistic gymnast Simone Biles put the topic of mental health into limelight three years ago at the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics. She pulled out of most of her events in Japan mid-Games after struggling with mental health problems and the “ twisties ” - a disorienting feeling while in mid-air that is known to affect some gymnasts.

Tennis player Naomi Osaka did much of the same during the 2021 French Open revealing struggles with depression and anxiety . 

'no athlete would think of stuffing themselves with burgers and sweets'

“Seventy percent of Olympians only get one Olympic experience. We want to try and make sure this is the best experience they could possibly have,” Kirsty Burrows, head of Safe Sport at the IOC said. 

“In the same way that no athlete would think of stuffing themselves with burgers and sweets before a competition, it’s not good to stuff yourself with videos on social networks by binge-watching TikTok or Instagram,” Paris Olympics 2024 health coordinator Laurent Dalard told reporters.

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Organizers will also work on cyber-harassment

Paris Olympics 2024 will also see efforts to counter cyber-harassment and bullying taken to new AI-powered levels. Signify uses artificial intelligence to monitor messages addressed to athletes on platforms such as Facebook, TikTok or X (formerly Twitter) in 35 languages, flagging potential harassment or threats.

All 15,000 athletes at the Olympics and Paralympics will be offered the service, which will be on an opt-in basis.