The Olympic Games are the pinnacle of human performance. The athletes who compete in these games are the strongest, fastest and most skilled in the world. These games not only test athletes physically, but also test players mentally – and the players with the strongest mental strengths come out on top.

So it’s no wonder people often say the most important distance is the six inches between your ears.

The role of the mind in athletics

This distance, although important, is not always very well understood. How exactly does the mind play a role and what elements does an athlete need to train to win this mind game?

Mental health, wellness and peak performance all lie on a spectrum and a simple way to understand this is to think of it as similar to physical training. The spectrum of physical training stretches from rehabilitation and recovery to strength and conditioning.

The importance of mental conditioning

The same is true for mental health – it ranges from managing mental health concerns to self-care and mental conditioning. From personal well-being to improving performance.

Just as the purpose of strength and conditioning is to help athletes reach the peak of their physical potential, making them physically stronger so that their bodies can meet the demands of the sport, the purpose of mental conditioning is to help athletes reach the peak of their mental potential in service of the sport.

Sports are played in a high-pressure environment, and only those players will be successful who can withstand this pressure and truly benefit from it. Self-confidence, commitment, motivation, autonomous control, resilience, and focus are some of the key aspects of mental strength that athletes must develop.

Visualization, self-talk, goal setting, focus control training, zoning-in routines, mindfulness training, biofeedback, simulation training, and self-regulation are some of the strategies sport psychologists commonly use to enable players to get into a flow state and play to their potential.

Addressing mental health concerns

While mental conditioning is something that is gaining increasing acceptance in the world of sports, there is another aspect to it that is not yet well understood.

Take the example of a student – when we think of a student, the only measure of success we look at is his marks. Nothing else. Do we stop and think – is this child happy?

The Importance of Athlete Well-being

Beyond the points and medals, the health and happiness of the athlete matters. Over the past few years, some of the world’s greatest athletes – Michael Phelps, Simone Biles and Naomi Osaka, to name a few – have spoken openly about their struggles with mental health.

It is extremely important to ensure that our athletes receive the appropriate support during times like these.

For the first time, a team of mental health experts will be part of the medical team accompanying athletes at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Such initiatives by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the Sports Ministry truly reflect their commitment towards the overall health and well-being of our athletes.

This is also in line with the efforts and approach of the International Olympic Commission, which has recognised and supported the mental health of athletes over the past few years.

Interrelationship between health, happiness and performance

To truly win the mental game, every aspect matters. And we must understand that an athlete’s health, happiness, and performance are inextricably linked. After all, the scope of mental health is not limited to just the absence of illness.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with life’s stresses, realise their abilities, learn and work well, and contribute to their communities.

The impact of this decision to make mental health a part of the team will not be limited to just the players participating in the games.

Learning from their role models, upcoming young players will also recognise the importance of this mind game. It is time we create a sporting ecosystem that prioritises the psychological well-being and safety of our athletes. Paris 2024 promises to be a positive step in the right direction.

(Disclaimer: This is a written article. The views and opinions expressed by doctors and experts are their independent professional judgment.)