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 practically invincible. Between 2000 and 2016, the Baltimore Bullet competed in five summer Olympics. He won a grand total of 28 Olympic medals, including 23 gold. That's far more than any other athlete, ever. If well-being and peace of mind were measured in Olympic titles, Phelps would easily have been the happiest human being of all time.

But things weren't always as golden as they seemed from the spectators' stands. Even though he was at the top of his game, Phelps suffered from depression and occasionally still does. Lots of other Olympic competitors have also struggled with mental health issues. They include snowboarder Shaun White, hurdler Lolo Jones, figure skaters Sasha Cohen and Gracie Gold, and speed skater Apolo Ohno. Now these Olympians are speaking out, sharing their stories to raise awareness and advocate for better mental health services for athletes.

One important message these superstars highlight is that while they might be required to have superlative strength, stamina, and skill, Olympic athletes are only human. They're not immune to mental health issues, and the stress of intense training and competition can make them especially susceptible. For starters, they usually begin their Olympic careers at a young age, missing out on what Phelps has called a "normal childhood." Other interests and priorities are put aside.

Once the Olympic torch is lit and the all-important games are underway, it's easy to see the pressure on athletes is immense. But former Olympians say returning home after the games can present another challenge…and it's one many aren't coached to conquer. According to one estimate, about 80 percent of Olympic athletes go through post-competition depression. Part of the problem is that a sport can become part of an athlete's identity. It defines how others see them and how they see themselves. Phelps, for example, has said he felt like he was just a swimmer, rather than a human being.

And it hasn't been easy for former or current Olympians to get the help they need. While authorities have long been committed to caring for the athletes' physical health, they've been slower to recognize the need to provide mental health support. Advocates point out that the U.S. Olympic Committee has only three mental health officers on staff…to serve about 1,000 athletes. Experts say the athletes' own preconceptions can be another obstacle to getting treatment. Olympians often feel they need to project an image of fortitude.

But Phelps and his fellow athlete-advocates are determined to change all that. Phelps said one of his goals is "just getting the point across that it's OK to not be OK." Recently, he produced the documentary The Weight of Gold. It features interviews with many Olympians who've faced mental health challenges. By sharing their stories, they are helping to break down the stigma associated with mental health issues, making it easier for people to seek help. Their revelations may have made an impression on the U.S. Olympic Committee. It recently appointed a task force to address mental health concerns and better serve athletes' needs.

Although he has retired from competitive swimming, Phelps isn't lacking a sense of purpose. As an outspoken mental health advocate, he's going for something greater than gold. "I feel like…this is something where I can truly make a significant impact," Phelps explained. He finds the prospect of helping people even more motivating than Olympic glory.

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

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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 3


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Which passage from the Article best supports the idea that many Olympians struggle to ask for help?

Experts say the athletes' own preconceptions can be another obstacle to getting treatment. Olympians often feel they need to project an image of fortitude.
For starters, they usually begin their Olympic careers at a young age, missing out on what Phelps has called a "normal childhood."
They're not immune to mental health issues, and the stress of intense training and competition can make them especially susceptible.
Part of the problem is that a sport can become part of an athlete's identity. It defines how others see them and how they see themselves.

Answer 1

1. Evidence Supporting the Claim of Mental Health Challenges: The author provides multiple pieces of evidence to support the claim that many Olympic competitors face mental health challenges. Notably, the article mentions that Michael Phelps has suffered from depression and that many other Olympians, such as Shaun White, Lolo Jones, Sasha Cohen, Gracie Gold, and Apolo Ohno, have also struggled with mental health issues. Furthermore, it states that approximately 80 percent of Olympic athletes experience post-competition depression, highlighting the prevalence of mental health struggles in this group.

2. Michael Phelps' Goal as a Mental Health Advocate: Michael Phelps aims to be a mental health advocate for other athletes by raising awareness about mental health issues and encouraging open conversations about these challenges. He emphasizes that it is acceptable to not be okay, working to break down the stigma surrounding mental health in sports. Through his documentary "The Weight of Gold," Phelps shares the experiences of Olympians who have faced similar difficulties. His goal is to create a support system and advocate for better mental health services for athletes, recognizing that helping others is a significant and meaningful pursuit, even beyond his achievements in swimming.

3. Passage Supporting the Struggle to Ask for Help: The passage that best supports the idea that many Olympians struggle to ask for help is: "Experts say the athletes' own preconceptions can be another obstacle to getting treatment. Olympians often feel they need to project an image of fortitude." This highlights that athletes' beliefs about needing to appear strong can prevent them from seeking the mental health support they might need, emphasizing the stigma and pressure they face in admitting vulnerability.