French Olympic Officials Champion Mental Health as Performance Imperative
PARIS – recognizing a critical shift in athlete wellbeing, French Olympic and Paralympic officials are prioritizing mental health support as integral to peak performance, particularly leading into and following the Paris 2024 Games.The initiative, spearheaded by Amélie Oudéa-Castéra and Marie-Amélie Le Fur, aims to destigmatize seeking help and provide comprehensive care for athletes throughout their careers.
“For help is not a sign of weakness. But on the contrary, proof of intelligence, maturity, and the condition for reconciling health and performance,” stated Le Fur.
The program stems from data gathered through a new psychological state questionnaire integrated into the SMR [surveillance médicale réglementaire] process.This questionnaire, beyond aiding medical staff, aims to empower athletes to identify their needs and advocate for support.
A collaborative action plan, developed with the paralympic Committee, Insep, the National Sports Agency, and the Ministry, focuses on raising awareness, improving access to specialists, and ensuring consistent monitoring during major competitions. Currently, only 4% of “welfare officers” – support personnel for athletes – receive support themselves, a statistic officials aim to dramatically improve.
A specific “Blue Epilogue” program is being piloted at Insep to address the challenges faced by athletes transitioning out of competitive sport, acknowledging the potential for depression linked to metabolic and lifestyle changes.
“You too must pay attention to your mental health, because being physically and mentally well during the games will be an essential element for performance,” Le Fur emphasized.
Oudéa-Castéra and Le fur are actively seeking partnerships and additional funding to sustain and expand these mental health initiatives, recognizing the long-term commitment required for lasting impact.
