Tokyo Olympics 2021: “Firsts” in Sports There were many historic firsts during the #Olympics2021: a wider range of sports and a greater representation of athletes. However, many athletes weren’t solely focused on medals – some were championing conversations about #mentalhealth.
Paris: As a student athlete, there's a fine line between persistence and anguish. Coaches push you to beat records and you end up burnt out, pushed too far. This fall, I was inspired to see Olympic athletes listen to their mind and body to take moments off for my mental health.
Mary Ann: Playing sports shaped who I am. Tennis, volleyball, and ballet all taught me discipline, teamwork, endurance, and focus. The Olympics have historically been about athletic excellence, but this year, Olympians were teaching us a lot more than physical accomplishment.
@Simone_Biles, who pulled out of the individual all-around competition midway through the Olympics, was one of the inspiring athletes that helped spark the conversation on mental health.
Following this decision, @Athleta, the athletic wear brand in partnership with Simone Biles, showed support of the gymnast by opening AthletaWell, a digital forum designed to create a space for women to freely discuss and connect on topics related to female wellbeing.
Other brand sponsors of the athlete, including @Visa and @CorePower, also made public statements in support of the gymnast’s decision. Newly-opened conversations about mental health in a professional setting continues to be a relevant topic.
Brands join in the mission of promoting open and honest conversations about mental health: @JanSport launched Lighten The Load, which provides students with various mental health resources, while @lululemon started Peace on Purpose, which offers a collection of meditation tools.
This series is curated by Mary Ann Ha and Paris Cipollone. Join our The State of The Story Summit '21 to hear more about how brands can acknowledge cultural context and tell stories that matter. #MagneticMoments #Olympics2021 #TokyoOlympics #SimoneBiles #mentalhealth