Appearing on ‘Today,’ Michael Phelps urged Olympians to ‘take care of their mental health’
"For all the athletes, try to take this as a positive."
Michael Phelps cannot imagine what his fellow Olympians are going through.
When it was announced that the 2020 Tokyo Olympics would be postponed and rescheduled for next year due to the COVID-19 epidemic, the retired Olympian thought about what it would have been like for him, emotionally, to hear the news. As someone who struggles with anxiety and depression, he cannot even “comprehend” the emotional toll of waiting another year.
“For the athletes, it’s tough,” he told Today via Facetime on Monday. “You go through something for four years and we know exactly when it’s going to come and our bodies are ready for it and then, we have to wait…It’s our whole life, and it’s difficult. I’ve tried to replay what I would be going through emotionally at this very time if I was still competing and, it’s hard to really comprehend it.”
Many American athletes have vocalized how heartbroken and disappointed they are at the news. Gymnast Simone Biles was training the moment she found out and “cried.” Swimmer Ryan Lochte expressed how he was “a little pissed off” because he was “training his butt off.” Still, they as well as others, like basketball player Nneka Ogwumike, understand the severity of what’s going on right now and the decision to postpone the games.
“This whole thing is way bigger than me. It’s way bigger than the Olympians,” Lochte said. “It’s affecting the entire world right now.”
How did @Simone_Biles receive news that the 2020 Olympics were postponed?
“I was in the gym training…I didn’t really know what to feel. I just kind of sat there and I cried. But ultimately it was the right decision,” she says. pic.twitter.com/UtOPD2SNjK
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) April 1, 2020
Phelps encourages all athletes to remain positive, and to use this time to focus on their mental health as much as physical. He’s even worried about an increase in suicide rates amongst athletes due to the news.
“It is challenging, but I think the biggest thing now is for everybody to look at this as an opportunity for another year to work on fine-tuning some small things that are going to help you make a big difference.
“For all the athletes, try to take this as a positive,” he added. “Really, really, really I want everybody to make sure they’re taking care of their mental health. It’s something that’s even more important now.”
If anyone needs support, Phelps said his phone is open.
“I’ll be the first one to admit I’m somebody who still struggles with depression and anxiety, and I’ve had a day or two over the last three weeks where it has been difficult, and I’m sure there are people out there who are going through the same exact thing…If you are in a spot where you need help, reach out and ask for help. It’s something that was very difficult for me to do and I can understand if somebody is going through that and also, at the same time, it’s something that changed my life. To be honest, it saved my life.”
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com