The upcoming Games will be used to promote wellness and the IOC has launched a mindfulness programme providing 2,000 licences to athletes for the Calm appSimone Biles of the United States after performing her routine during her gold medal win in the Women's Floor Final at the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships-Antwerp 2023.
It’s to a large extent by the athlete and we’ve had athlete representation on the working group since its inception. Core members around the table are invaluableThis is all part of a plan that looks to promote better mental health outcomes at all levels by 2026 with Paris 2024 acting as a barometer for how the programme develops.
The psychiatrist Alan Currie, who sits on the IOC working group for mental health, has applauded the collaborative nature of the process, with some athletes becoming active ambassadors. “It’s to a large extent by the athlete and we’ve had athlete representation on the working group since its inception. Core members around the table are invaluable,” says Currie.
Alongside this provision for mental health support, the IOC is working to tackle the effects of abuse and discrimination on athletes. Apublished last November by the University of Stirling found abuse of women footballers, a sport at this summer’s Games, often goes unchecked on social media. This includes misogynistic and sexualised comments that, when not monitored, become normalised and acceptable to clubs and their followers.