Day two of Paris 2024 shows mental health challenges can be overcome

There was the deep sense of accomplishment just making it to the Olympics. The inspirational power of reaching the podium. And the determination to show seeking help is worth it.

From gymnastics star Simone Biles to Team GB’s medallists, day two of Paris 2024 showed mental health challenges can be overcome – finding valued empathy rather than endangering careers.

Hours after Kimberley Woods’s kayak bronze, there was Adam Peaty weeping tears of joy, celebrating silver with a poolside embrace of son George.

“As soon as I see his curly hair, I’m like, I’m gone, I’m crying,” Peaty said. “Any parent or anyone that has that love, it’s just a different type of love, something that swimming can’t give me anymore. And I don’t want it to give me anymore.

“He normally goes ‘Daddy, are you the fastest boy?’ And I would have said: ‘Not today’. But he just says: ‘I love you, Daddy.’ That’s what I care about.”

Not as much about missing out so narrowly on a third consecutive Olympic gold in the 100m breaststroke final.

Just being in Paris is an achievement for Peaty after slipping away from swimming last year to deal with mental wellbeing challenges and alcohol abuse.

The pursuit of glory was proving unhealthy and unsustainable.

It’s been a long way back to the Olympic podium and the 29-year-old didn’t mind not topping it.

“It doesn’t matter what the time says on the board, I know that in my heart I’ve already won,” he said. “I’m not crying because I’ve come second, I’m crying because it took so much to get here.”

Woods calls therapy ‘a massive part of my journey’

Making it to Paris required immense resolve and the willingness to seek help for Woods – a journey she reflected on after delivering kayaking bronze for GB.

Going back nine years to university and the feeling of isolation – immobile and prevented from training after a serious knee injury.

Accepting help from British Canoeing coach Craig Morris was the turning point for Woods, with a realisation she could unburden herself of struggles.

Rather than hiding away, she went for therapy at a clinic to banish the inner negativity.

“I think it’s a massive part of my journey and I’m glad I did it – I’m kind of glad I went through it but in different ways,” she said.

“This makes everything worth it. The journey I’ve been on, that first moment of admitting that I do need help, that’s where I go back to.”

‘Just seek help if you need it’

And in this moment, the pinnacle so far of her sporting career, the 28-year-old had a bigger message to impart.

“Just seek help if you need it,” she said. “Don’t be afraid to go to people and get the skills to be able to learn with tough times.

“If you’re an athlete there are resources out there and maybe you can end up with a medal around your neck like I have.”

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Biles prioritised mindset over medals

And away from Team GB, the return of Biles to Olympic action proved there can be light at the end of the darkness.

The American megastar sparked a wider conversation in sport and beyond by prioritising mindset over medals when withdrawing from events at the last Olympics in Tokyo.

Now, after two years out from competition, seeking a therapist has become part of her schedule while chasing an eighth Olympic medal.

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Protecting the mind is now as important for the world’s most decorated gymnasts as perfecting routines.

And on Sunday the 27-year-old was dazzling and dominating at the Olympics – the athlete attracting celebrities to the Bercy Arena and admiration from rivals.

GB gymnast Ruby Evans said: “We’ve never had anyone like her before and I don’t think we ever will, ever again.”

But we should see much more of Biles in Paris – probably topping the podium.

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