Based on the article, the reader can predict that Olympic athletes will receive better mental health care thanks to the efforts of Michael Phelps and other Olympians who have come forward. This prediction is supported by the information that Phelps and other athletes are advocating for better mental health services and that the U.S. Olympic Committee has appointed a task force to address mental health concerns as a response to these efforts.
Greater than Gold
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."
Based on the Article, the reader can predict that _________.
the documentary The Weight of Gold will not have much of an impact on the stigma related to mental health issues
Michael Phelps will return to competitive swimming to break his own record for the most gold medals ever won
Olympic athletes will receive better mental health care thanks to the efforts of Michael Phelps and other Olympians who have come forward
the U.S. Olympic Committee will raise the age at which hopeful Olympians can begin actively training to participate in competition
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