Greater than Gold

Question

Teen Channel: Health

RED BANK, New Jersey (Achieve3000, November 23, 2020). To fans around the world, champion swimmer Michael Phelps seemed almost unbeatable. He won 28 Olympic medals, including 23 gold. That's far more than any other athlete, ever.

But not everything in Phelps' life was "golden." He struggled with depression. Sometimes he still does. Other Olympic athletes have faced mental health issues, too. Snowboarder Shaun White is one. Figure skater Gracie Gold is another. Now these Olympians are speaking out.

They have an important message: Olympic athletes are only human. And they can be even more likely to have mental health issues than most people. Why? They don't have much free time. They usually begin their Olympic training at a young age, and they train hard for years. Other interests are put aside. At the Olympics, the athletes are under a lot of pressure. But afterwards, life can be even harder. About 80 percent of Olympic athletes go through depression when they return home.

And it hasn't been easy for Olympians to get the help they need. The U.S. Olympic Committee has only three mental health officers. These officers take care of about 1,000 athletes. On top of that, some athletes don't like to ask for help. They may feel they always need to appear strong.

But Phelps is working to change all that. He wants people to know that "it's OK to not be OK." He made a movie called The Weight of Gold. It has interviews with many Olympians. They share their stories about mental health issues. That may make it easier for people to seek help.

Phelps no longer swims to win medals. He's going for something greater than gold—helping people.

As he explained, "For me, that's way bigger than ever winning gold medals."

Information for this story came from AP.

Think about and discuss these questions:

What evidence supports the author's claim that many Olympic competitors face mental health challenges?

Elaborate on Michael Phelps' goal of being a mental health advocate for other athletes.
Question 2


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Which passage from the Article best shows why it is hard for Olympic athletes to get help?

But not everything in Phelps' life was "golden." He struggled with depression. Sometimes he still does.
They usually begin their Olympic training at a young age, and they train hard for years.
The U.S. Olympic Committee has only three mental health officers. These officers take care of about 1,000 athletes.
Olympic athletes are only human. And they can be even more likely to have mental health issues than most people.

Answer 1

1. The evidence that supports the author's claim that many Olympic competitors face mental health challenges includes several points presented in the article. Firstly, it states that "about 80 percent of Olympic athletes go through depression when they return home," indicating that a significant majority experience mental health issues after the intense pressures of competition. Additionally, the article highlights that Olympic athletes often train from a young age, dedicating themselves to their sport and sacrificing other interests, leading to a lack of balance in their lives. The article also mentions that some athletes do not seek help due to the stigma surrounding mental health and the belief that they need to always appear strong.

2. Michael Phelps' goal of being a mental health advocate for other athletes is centered on raising awareness and normalizing conversations about mental health struggles. By sharing his own experiences and creating the documentary "The Weight of Gold," he aims to inspire other athletes to recognize that it is acceptable to have mental health challenges and to seek help when needed. Phelps communicates a crucial message: "it's OK to not be OK," emphasizing that personal well-being is more important than athletic achievements. His dedication to this cause shows that he is committed to helping others navigate their mental health, making his efforts greater than just winning medals.