It is never easy for athletes to live up to the picture-perfect standards of the world. Self-care is bound to suffer long-term when there is pressure to satisfy massive crowds with power-packed, impeccable performances. Sports is a profession that demands your very best, all the time, every time.
The very nature of competitive sports dictates that you either win or lose a game. However, no one sees the bigger picture. Efforts go unnoticed and runner-ups are immediately put to shame.
Recently, American gymnast Simone Biles made the brave decision to withdraw from Olympic finals this year in an effort to look after her personal health.
In a statement to the press, Biles said, “I say put mental health first because if you don’t, then you are not going to enjoy your sport, and you are not going to succeed as much as you want to.
“So, it is okay sometimes to even sit out the big competitions to focus on yourself because it shows how strong of a competitor and person that you really are.”
Simone began her stint as an athlete at the age of 14 years. Apart from numerous physical injuries, she suffered sexual abuse by US Olympic team doctor Larry Nassar, the aftermath of which could be Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Simone also suffers from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
With over 30 World/Olympic medals under the belt, Simone Biles is the most sought after female athlete in the United States. As a woman of color, she is breaking more than just a glass ceiling for women. With her decision to withdraw, Biles has proven that it is okay to take a pause, overcome mental roadblocks and come out stronger than ever.
However, Biles is not the only athlete to take a stand for her mental health. Naomi Osaka and Michael Phelps have been equally passionate about bringing mental health to the forefront using their platform.
Phelps went on to work on an HBO Documentary released last year titled “The Weight of Gold” in which he, alongside Apolo Ohno, Shaun White, Lolo Jones, Gracie Gold and others detailed their personal struggles with mental health issues.
Considering mental illness is often considered a societal taboo, these are important conversations that encourage openness. Sufferers of mental illness are immediately labeled, judged, and abandoned. In the star-studded world of sports, it is influential figures like Simone Biles and Michael Phelps who are truly awe-inspiring. Their openness is sure to allow millions of others to take a stand for themselves in the face of mental health challenges.
The competitive nature of our civilizations means that at a tender age, children are expected to outperform their peers, get the best grades in schools, and be equally good in extracurricular activities.
These unrealistic expectations tend to dehumanize them and affect other areas of their lives as they grow older. Mental challenges could wind up overpowering them once they assume professional duties as adults.
It is upon states and societies as well as families, schools, and colleges to reconsider their value systems and teaching strategies. We must allow that sometimes, it is okay to fail. Experiences teach you to do better.
Most important, if individuals are not allowed to experience personal growth with certain lived experiences, their mental wellbeing would inevitably suffer.
Prioritizing mental wellness over everything else is paramount. The onus is on us to destigmatize mental illness, but more importantly, redefine “perfection” in a world that demands so much from us.
We tend to give our work life disproportionate importance at the cost of our mental comfort. It is about time that we change this common practice.
Simon Biles’ decision to withdraw should not be seen as failure. It should be seen as bravery and resilience. Her decision should not disappoint people. It should instead uplift them.
It is also narrow-minded to limit what causes athletes mental discomfort. For many of them, circumstances vary. For some female players, revealing attire is problematic.
Women athletes at large are overly sexualized for their “by the book” uniforms. They are penalised if they assert their right to wear what they want. Take, for instance, Norway’s women’s beach ball team’s decision to wear shorts instead of bikini bottoms at the European Beach Handball championship: The team was fined EUR 1,500.
Major tournaments expect female athletes to wear attire that sexualizes them instead of giving them the option to wear what they feel comfortable in. This likely affects their performance and mental toughness.
There is also a dire need for sportspeople to have access to counsellors in all major and state-level championships. Organizers must ensure the mental well-being of athletes is safeguarded before any tournament commences. Hopefully, conversations regarding athletes and their state of mental health would materialize into something more productive going forward.
