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04/19 08:26 CDT French athletes at Paris Olympics will receive better mental
health protection
French athletes at Paris Olympics will receive better mental health protection
By JEROME PUGMIRE
AP Sports Writer
PARIS (AP) --- French athletes at the Paris Olympics will be offered better
protection for their mental health, with priority given to curbing online
harassment and cyberbullying.
France's Sports Minister Amlie Ouda-Castra and Secretary of State for
Digital Affairs Marina Ferrari have been discussing ways to ensure mental
health is looked after at the July 26-Aug. 11 Paris Games and Aug 28-Sept. 8
Paralympics.
Ouda-Castra pointed out the continued threat of cyberbullying to mental
health in society in general, a risk she says is magnified when high-profile
athletes are continually in the spotlight.
"Athletes as well as many of our citizens are exposed to these risks," she
said. "We are implementing the tools to help our athletes, but also our young
and all French people."
A study carried out by France's National Institute of Sport, Expertise, and
Performance (INSEP) showed that 15% of athletes have shown signs of high
anxiety or depression, with the first signs of psychological difficulties
beginning on average at the age of 17.
The risk factors themselves are already well-known. They include being away
from family for sustained periods of time, pressure from fans, expectations
from sponsors, reactions from angry gamblers losing bets, fear of failure and
constant pressure to get results. These factors are magnified by constant
exposure on social networks.
So plans are in place to better protect mental health going forward.
Starting from June, the website France.sport dedicated to top-level athletes
will have a "Sant Mentale" (Mental Health) section, which athletes can click
onto. It features a guide with practical advice and a self-evaluation
questionnaire. The athlete also has access to a psychologist recommended by
INSEP. The same services will continue after the Games, and are also available
for coaching staff.
INSEP will also work with other French sports organizations on a presentation
to raise awareness on risks linked to mental health among athletes.
France's sports minister is working with other ministries on ways to develop
and support the profession of Mental Coach --- someone who works closely with
athletes to help with their mental preparation in order to improve their
performance.
At the Olympic Village in the suburb of Saint-Denis, a safeguarding officer
from the French Olympic and Paralympic delegation and three welfare officers
(who are trained psychologists) will be onsite during the Games. They will
offer assistance to athletes and staff members who are experiencing mental
health difficulties and, if needed, they can be mobilized to support athletes
who are staying outside of the main Village.
The safeguarding officer on site is also dovetailing as a designated person of
trust who alerts social network platforms in case of serious problems happening
online.
An online application called Bodyguard is already being used by the French
Tennis Federation and the French soccer league to give athletes better online
protection, including content arriving in their private messages if they so
wish.
"The psychological stability of athletes deserves all of our attention. More
than ever, they should feel safe and should be supported when they go through
moments of difficulty or doubt or have a need to express themselves," Ferrari
said. "The context of (athletes') lives exposes them to increased risks. They
should be cared for with regards to these risks."
Further discussions are scheduled to be held in the coming weeks with the main
social network platforms.
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AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games
