Mental health on the Olympic podium

Mental Health comes first in Olympics - 16th August 2021

Athletes are required to be fit both physically and mentally. 24 year old gymnast Simone Biles has often shown how strong she is. She’s one of the greatest athletes of all time.

Biles won four Olympic gold medals in the Rio Olympics. But in Tokyo this year, she stopped taking part while she was doing her first team event. Biles said this was for her mental health and her safety.

Swimming champion Michael Phelps understands completely. The winner of 23 gold medals has also had difficulties with mental health. Watching Biles upset him. "Nobody is perfect," he said. "It is OK not to be OK."

At these Games, the mental health of young athletes has come first. Experts like psychologists were at the Olympic village, where athletes stayed. They can help by talking to sportspeople about their worries.

This new step is of special importance in Japan. Mental health is usually seen as something private. It isn’t spoken about. But Biles and other athletes are changing this.