The Mental Game: How Sports Psychology is Shaping Team USAS Olympic Journey
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MILAN,February 6,2026 – Moast Olympic athletes won’t stand on the top podium,and that’s okay,according to sports psychologists working with Team USA as the Winter Games open in Italy. The pressure to win gold can overshadow the unbelievable journey and personal growth inherent in competing at the highest level.
Redefining Victory: It’s About the Process, Not Just the Medal
A growing emphasis on mental health is helping athletes focus on performance and resilience, irrespective of the final score.
- The United States is sending approximately 235 athletes to the Winter Olympics and 70 to the Paralympics.
- Roughly 71% of Winter and Summer Olympic athletes compete in onyl one Games.
- Psychological services now cover a wide range of issues, from motivation to sleep management.
- Athletes are encouraged to view the Olympics as a unique prospect for growth, regardless of medal count.
Emily clark, a clinical psychologist with the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, is tasked with helping athletes interpret success beyond the customary gold-medal standard. “A lot of athletes these days are aware of the mental health component of, not just sport, but of life,” Clark said. “This is an area where athletes can develop skills that can extend a career, or make it more enjoyable.”
Clark emphasizes the importance of connection and perspective. “Being able to connect with family and friends, even just a rapid check-in … and getting that reminder of why are you here. What is that experience your looking for?”
Alysa Liu, the 2025 world champion in figure skating and a 2022 Olympian, is a firm believer in sports psychology. “I work with a sport psychologist,” she said. “She’s incredible – like the MVP.” Her teammates jokingly refer to “MVP” as “Most Valuable Psychologist.”
Even Veterans Seek Perspective
Downhill skier Lindsey Vonn, 41, is returning to competition after nearly six years of retirement, racing with a titanium knee. While some, like two-time Olympic champion Michaela Dorfmeister, have suggested she consult a psychologist, Vonn has relied on self-talk. “I just did it myself,” she said, recalling taping messages like “stay forward or hands up” to her skis. “I do a lot of self-talk in the starting gate.”
Sleep: A Cornerstone of Performance
“Sleep is an area where athletes tend to struggle for a number of reasons,” Clark said, citing travel, late practices, injuries, and family responsibilities. “We approach sleep as a real part of performance. But it can be something that gets de-prioritized when days get busy.”
Clark recommends avoiding caffeine after 3 p.m., managing stress before bed, maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, sleeping in a dark room, and aiming for 7-9 hours of sleep.
Dani Aravich, a two-time Paralympian competing in the upcoming Winter Games, emphasizes the importance of sleep tracking. “I’ve started tracking my sleep,” she said, citing Clark as a helpful counselor. “Especially being an athlete who has multiple jobs,sleep is going to be your No. 1 savior at all times. It’s the thing that – you no – helps mental clarity.”
Clark agrees: “Sleep is the cornerstone of healthy performance.”
