French Olympic Officials Champion Mental Healthโ as Performance Imperative
PARIS – recognizingโค a critical shift in athlete wellbeing, โFrench Olympic and Paralympic officials are prioritizing mentalโค health support as integral to peak performance, particularlyโข leading into and following the โคParis 2024โข Games.The initiative, spearheaded by Amรฉlie Oudรฉa-Castรฉra and Marie-Amรฉlie Le Fur, aims to destigmatize seeking help and provide comprehensive care for athletes throughout their โcareers.
“For help is not a sign of weakness. But on the โcontrary, proof of intelligence, maturity, and the condition for reconciling โฃhealth and performance,”โค statedโค Le Fur.
The program stems from data gathered through a new psychological state โฃquestionnaire integrated into the SMR [surveillance mรฉdicale rรฉglementaire] process.This questionnaire, beyond aidingโ medical staff, aims to empower athletes โto identify their needs and advocate for โsupport.
A collaborative action plan, developed with the paralympic Committee, Insep, the National Sports Agency, and the Ministry, focuses on raising awareness, improving accessโ to specialists, and ensuring consistent โขmonitoring during major competitions. Currently, only 4% of “welfare officers” – support personnel for โathletes – receive support themselves, a statistic officials โคaim to dramatically improve.
A specific “Blue Epilogue” program is being piloted at Insep to address the challenges faced by athletes transitioning outโข of competitive sport, acknowledging the potential for depression linked to metabolic and lifestyleโฃ changes.
“You too โmust pay attentionโ to your mental health, because being physically and mentally well โduring the games will be an essential element forโฃ performance,” Le Fur emphasized.
Oudรฉa-Castรฉra and Le fur are actively โseeking partnerships and additional funding โto sustain โคand expand these mental health initiatives, recognizing the long-term commitment required for lasting impact.