The Olympic Experience: Supporting Athlete's Resilience
Get ready to cheer on Ireland! This year's Summer Olympic Games will take place in Paris. More than 120 Irish athletes across all sports plan on competing in the games, with many new hopeful medal contenders. Not only is this an exciting time for the athletes, but it also comes with some hurdles; many athletes will face mental health challenges from pressures to perform and compare themselves.
Making Ireland Proud: Irish Athletes to look out for
One notable athlete to watch is Rhasidat Adeleke, who holds multiple Irish records in track events. Additionally, middle-distance runner Ciara Mageean and sailor Eve McMahon, recently nominated for Irish Sailor of the Year, are expected to showcase their exceptional talents on the global stage. These athletes, among others, continue to carve out their places in history, making Ireland immensely proud.
Overcoming Mental Health Challenges:
During the Summer Tokyo Olympics, Simone Biles made a brave decision to withdraw herself from the games due to struggles with her mental health, which brought attention to the conversation of mental health issues surrounding athletes and brought many more to speak up about their battles.
There are immense pressures that athletes face throughout their careers, from career-threatening injuries to sponsorships, media headlines, and juggling life at home. In addition, stress-relief tools such as fidget rings have gained attention to help manage stress and anxiety, not only for athletes but for individuals across various fields. It's essential to recognise that we all have a role to play in collectively addressing the societal stigma surrounding mental health, particularly when it comes to our revered athletes. In Ireland and at POG, support and empathy can genuinely make a meaningful impact.
“The Human Behind The Athlete”
In addition to the Olympic Games, let's also remember the Paralympics, for which PTSB Dublin is running a new campaign supporting the Paralympic athletes. The campaign recognises that “behind every athlete, there’s a human who started it all, who gets up every morning and faces every challenge head-on, even when it feels like the odds are against them”, focusing on the very “Human side” of athletes.
The Creatives Behind the Olympics
Remember to keep an eye on the artistic side of the Olympics! The Opening Ceremony will be overseen by Thomas Jolly, a Parisian theatre director, and will feature costume designs by acclaimed Louis Vuitton and Dior designers. The event has received praise for its sustainable leadership initiatives.
The Paris 2024 poster by French artist Ugo Gattoni showcases a fantastical "stadium city" version of Paris, emphasising the openness of the games and events. The poster is packed with details to discover, including different sporting events, iconic landmarks, and spectators.
Wear the Olympic Colours!
Get ready to watch the Olympics with our unique stacking rings! We've got all the vibrant colours of the Olympic rings: blue, yellow, black, red, and green. It's like wearing a celebration on your fingers!
Save these Key dates:
Opening Ceremony: July 26th
Closing Ceremony: August 11th
