Tokyo, July 12 – For the first time at a Summer Olympics, the Japanese delegation will include four mental health experts, known as “welfare officers,” to support athletes during the Paris Olympics starting later this month.
These welfare officers aim to “provide support so that [athletes] can perform at their best,” said Michiko Dohi, deputy head of the Japanese delegation and in charge of medical affairs.
The inclusion of mental health professionals follows the precedent set at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, where the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) sent a welfare officer in response to the International Olympic Committee’s emphasis on athletes’ mental health.
Previously, mental health services for Japanese athletes were provided online. However, Dohi noted that having experts present makes it “easier for athletes to talk” and seek help when needed.
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