For any athlete, nothing in life will ever equal the experience of high-level competition. Take the Olympic Games as an example-they are the pinnacle of human athletic ability and probably the point of a lifetime of hard running and sacrifice. However, as the crowds dissipate and the lights dim, many athletes end up traveling into a complex emotional landscape known as "post-competition blues." This phenomenon has recently been studied upon by several researchers, and it points to an essential but underappreciated element of athlete wellness-the mental health issues that can arise after major events.
Post-competition blues or post-Olympic blues refers to the period after successful participation in major sporting events when a person experiences some degree of emotional and psychological suffering. The symptoms experienced often include anxiety, irritability, emptiness, or lack of motivation. Added to these symptoms is one's identity problems and the forced shifting from structure and regimentation associated with training back into less structured regimes.
Diment et al. (2023) also reported that one month after the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, 27% of Danish Olympic athletes reported below-average well-being or moderate to severe depressive symptoms. Importantly, 16% reported both, indicating the prevalence and severity of the problem among elite competitors.
There are particular and unique stressors at different levels-before, in the course of, and after the Olympic Games phases-that Olympic athletes face. According to Kuettel and Larsen (2020), "mental health describes a dynamic balance between achieving, being useful for something greater, and coping successfully." Chronic strain, injuries, and pressure accumulating to extremely high levels might compromise resiliency.
Post-competition blues primarily arise from the psychological vacuum resulting from attaining a major goal. As one respondent astutely asked, "When the pinnacle has been reached, where do you go from there?" Research indicates that unmet performance expectations heighten these issues. Surprisingly, even triumphant athletes are not exempt, and some succumb to burnout and waning motivation.
Diment et al. (2023) highlighted the variation in the post-competition experiences concerning gender. The depressive symptoms in women athletes at moderate levels were 29%, while in men, it was only 7%. There is a need to create specialized support structures focusing on these variations. Additionally, the athletes at mid-20-year-old produced the lowest scores of well-being, suggesting that the techniques have to be age sensitive also.
Dealing with post-competition blues significantly affects the long-term well-being of athletes. These include:
The vulnerabilities of athletes have been more candidly exposed by the issues that arise from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, held during the COVID-19 pandemic. Delays in events and isolation increase stress and anxiety. Some athletes were able to manage through focusing on recovery or skill development, but most suffered worsening mental health, thereby indicating the need for adaptive and personalized systems of support.
Post-competition blues show how success, identity, and mental health interlock in complex ways within elite sports. Such an understanding can lead to environments that are proactive for the development of careers and post-career life for athletes. As Simone Biles noted at the Tokyo Games, "It's okay not to be okay." That statement is what has to break the stigma of mental health, as well as making sure athletes get support at all stages.
The post-competition blues remind the athletes that the finish line is not an end but a new beginning. This empowers the athlete to ride through this phase by equipping him or her with tools to manage the high and low tides of life and redefining success as holistic well-being.
Diment, G. M., Stagis, N. D., & Küttel, A. (n.d.). What is this thing called “Post-Olympic Blues”? An Exploratory Study Among Danish Olympic Athletes. Scandinavian Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 5, 21–30. https://doi.org/10.7146/sjsep.v5i.134527 Siegel, L. (2024, September 25). SC Magdeburg: Bennet Wiegert versucht seine Spieler „nicht zu verarschen" | Sport. bild.de. https://www.bild.de/sport/mehr-sport/sc-magdeburg-bennet-wiegert-versucht-seine-spieler-nicht-zu-verarschen-66f32094a7ff4d4d7178f72a