5 Olympic athletes who have been vocal about their mental health struggles ft Simone Biles

Olympic champion Simone Biles is popular for her achievements in artistic gymnastics. She is also known for her personality and her persistent efforts towards raising awareness about mental health.

In a recent interview with Olympics.com, the 27-year-old gymnast talked about how she takes care of her mental health.

"I'm making a bigger effort into taking care of my mind and my body, which includes going to therapy once every week, usually on Thursday is kind of my therapeutic day and I try to take a day for myself. It's really important that I'm taking care of my mind as much as I do my body, especially in this sport and outside of the sport," she said.

Biles also recounted how she had almost given up after the setback at the Tokyo Olympics. In another interview with NESN, the American gymnast said:

"Just representing the United States, it's bittersweet because I never thought I would be back competing at the Olympic Games but everything that I have gone through and the story that I get to share with the audience and with the fans not just at an Olympic stage but on our touring stage as well....."

Following are some of the Olympic athletes who have been vocal about the issue of mental health:

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Olympic athletes who have been vocal about their mental health struggles ft Simone Biles

#1 Simone Biles

Simone Biles at the Paris Olympics [Image Source: Getty]

Simone Biles has been extremely vocal about her mental health, ever since she withdrew from most of her competitions at the Tokyo Olympics.

"I have to focus on my mental health. I just think mental health is more prevalent in sports right now. We have to protect our minds and our bodies and not just go out and do what the world wants us to do," she said on withdrawing from the Tokyo Olympics.

However, the 27-year-old gymnast received support from almost everyone, especially her coach Cecile Landi, who inspired her to bounce back at the Paris Olympics.

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#2 Noah Lyles

Noah Lyles at the Paris Olympics [Image Source: Getty]

The Olympic champion sprinter is well known for his personality, both off and on the track. In his interview with Olympics.com, Noah Lyles opened up on how he tackled his mental health issues.

"I've been in therapy since I was probably nine years old, so this is not foreign to me. It's very normal. It's natural. Mental health isn't its own entity. It's everyday life," said Lyles.

Noah Lyles had overcome several issues, including mental health, to make it big at the Paris Olympics. He won a historic Olympic gold in the men's 100m and a second consecutive bronze medal in the men's 200m.

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#3 Michael Phelps

Michael Phelps at the Beijing Olympics 2008 [Image Source: Getty]

The Olympic champion swimmer has been quite vocal about battling depression, and how he sometimes contemplated about ending his own life.

In an interview with TODAY.com in 2017, Phelps mentioned:

"I can tell you I’ve probably had at least half a dozen depression spells that I’ve gone through. And the one in 2014, I didn’t want to be alive."

However, Phelps overcame these bouts, thanks to the persistent support from his friends and family, to whom he owes a lot.

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#4 Ilona Maher

Ilona Maher at the Paris Olympics 2024 [Image Source: Getty]

Like Simone Biles, Ilona Maher has been vocal about her mental health as well. She faced multiple problems, from jibes at her physical appearance to questions over her priorities towards the sport.

Ilona Maher recounted in an interview about how she focused on her mental health.

“I think with my own mental health, I've always wanted to be the strongest one. I've always wanted to be the strong daughter, the strong sibling who doesn't really struggle with mental health, but it was a very dark time for me. I would say I went through a depression of some sort. And I think just showing that it's okay and it doesn't take away from who you are, and it doesn't change the athlete," she said [via BeHerSports].

Maher contributed significantly to Team USA's historic podium finish in the women's rugby sevens event. They won a bronze medal after defeating Australia, making it their first Olympic medal in the history of this event.

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#5 Adam Peaty

Adam Peaty with the silver medal from men's 100m breaststroke at the Paris Olympics [Image Source: Getty]

The Olympic silver medalist from Great Britain had almost withdrawn from the Paris Olympics since he was battling serious mental health issues.

However, Adam Peaty overcame his troubles to make it count at the Paris Olympics. In his words:

"Being an athlete is 365, 24/7. You will never have that normal aspect of life where you can do what you want, and that broke me in half. It had me in tears in the pool, I was like 'this isn't worth it any more, I don't want to do this'," said Peaty [via BBC.com].

However, Peaty soon focused on rethinking his approach toward success, crediting his Christian faith for helping him overcome his problems. Peaty went on to win a silver medal in the men's 100m breaststroke event at the Paris Olympics.