Performing at the Olympics: it's all between the ears

What goes through the minds of elite athletes when they do well? https://t.co/g1YD4DS3mY

— The Conversation (@ConversationEDU) August 15, 2016

By Trent Pollard
A leading sports psychologist says more emphasis needs to be placed on how our Olympians mentally prepare for the world’s biggest sporting arena.
Dr Richard Keegan said that underperformance occurs when an athlete is unable to get in to a comfortable frame of mind, and becomes distracted from their ultimate goal.
“When you ask a coach how much time was spent on technique and physical fitness, you get huge numbers. Then you ask how much time was devoted to developing psychology they’ll say ‘Oh is that a thing? Do we have to do that now?’ and it’s not a big amount at all,” Keegan said.
Australia has underperformed on the bold predictions of 16 gold medals by AOC Chef De Mission Kitty Chiller.
Australia has won only won three gold in swimming, none in cycling or athletics (so far), both hockey sides crashed out in the quarter-finals and the women’s basketball side went down to Serbia in the quarter-final. And that’s just the start of our disappointing results.
It appears that Chiller is yet to learn her lesson on putting high expectations on our Olympians, by continuing to maintain that the Rio campaign is on track.
“It’s always been an aspirational goal, we still have the potential to get there or get close to it,” Chiller said after day 9 of competition.
Australians become icons when they become an Olympian, which has become a tradition in our proud sporting nation, which may be detrimental Dr Keegan suggests.
“The factors that tend to contribute to what we call a ‘choke’ are when someone feels more self-conscious,” Keegan said.
“This changes the focus from what they’re doing to ‘what does this mean for me’? What will people think of me?’
“Going out and playing against the very best in the world changes the landscape slightly. All of a sudden you’re not the biggest fish in the pond.”
Dr Keegan also suggests that things such as poor living conditions in Rio, health and safety concerns, bizarre competition scheduling and other variables should not affect an athlete who’s had extensive psychological training.
“These things can affect an athlete, but they are things which you should planning for.
“I don’t think we are anywhere near realising the potential of what you can do in sports psychology. A lot of people say ‘I tried thinking positive thoughts and it didn’t work’.
“It actually takes a long time to really condition yourself to think the most important thoughts at the right moments.”