Paris — In a groundbreaking move for the Olympic Games, the Paris 2024 Olympics has introduced a dedicated mental health zone within the Athletes Village. Located on the first floor of the fitness center, this innovative space aims to provide comprehensive mental health support alongside the rigorous physical training of elite athletes.
Named the Athlete365 Mind Zone, this facility is designed to offer athletes a sanctuary for mental well-being amidst the intense pressures of the Games. The space features low lighting, noise-cancellation systems, and various areas including VR-guided meditation, sleeping pods, yoga spaces, and an art section for painting and writing.
“It’s a very positive change,” said Indian shooter Anjum Moudgil, who expressed enthusiasm about experiencing the new mental health amenities.
This initiative represents a significant step by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to address the mental health needs of athletes, complementing the 24/7 helpline with multilingual mental health counselors introduced at the 2022 Beijing Winter Games. The introduction of the Athlete365 Mind Zone builds on these efforts, which were absent during the Tokyo 2020 Games.
The importance of mental health in sports has gained prominence in recent years, highlighted by high-profile cases such as Naomi Osaka’s withdrawal from the French Open and Simone Biles’ decision to withdraw from several events at the Tokyo Games due to mental health challenges. Similarly, swimmer Caeleb Dressel took an extended break post-Tokyo to focus on his mental well-being.
This growing awareness has sparked conversations around mental health within the athletic community, including in India. Shuttler Lakshya Sen and shooter Anjum Moudgil have openly discussed their struggles, helping to shed light on the importance of mental health care for athletes.
According to Kirsty Burrows, IOC’s Head of the Safe Sport Unit, the idea for the Athlete365 Mind Zone emerged from the need to prioritize both physical and mental health equally. The zone’s design promotes decompression and disconnection, featuring bespoke VR programs on breathing techniques and mindfulness, alongside traditional wellness activities.
“The entire space is designed around decompression and disconnection,” Burrows explained. “We’ve created an environment with areas for art and yoga, sleep pods, and VR-guided meditation.”
In addition to the new facility, the IOC has accredited over 170 mental health professionals from more than 90 countries to support athletes at Paris 2024. This initiative aims to destigmatize mental health issues and encourage athletes to seek help when needed.
Burrows highlighted the significance of this effort, noting that mental health symptoms and disorders affect athletes at similar rates as the general population—approximately one in three individuals. “We want to promote open conversations about mental health and reduce stigma,” she said.
Moudgil hopes this initiative will resonate within the Indian sporting community as well. “Understanding the impact of criticism and negative comments on athletes is crucial,” she said. “It’s important for people to recognize the significance of mental health in sports.”
As Paris prepares to host the Olympics, the Athlete365 Mind Zone stands as a testament to the evolving approach towards athlete well-being, blending physical and mental health support in a pioneering manner.
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