30 Jul 2024

Batswana wait in anticipation as athletics programme at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games starts on Friday.

Athletics code has always delivered during international competitions. 

Two medals were won during Olympics were from athletics in 800m during the London 2012 Olympics and 4x40m men relay in the Tokyo Olympics.

A lot is therefore expected from the 12 athletes in Paris. 

However, winning does not start on the track as a lot of goes into the preparations.

According to sport psychologist, Professor Tshepang Tshube, all athletes at the Olympics were physically fit and could win any medal.

However, he said what could set them apart from their peers was their mental strength. 

Prof. 

Tshube said there were three important mental skills at the top of the performance pyramid. 

The first mental skill, he said, was concentration, adding that athletes must be intentional in what they were attentive to. 

He said while the Olympic Games village had the most talented athletes in the world, it was important that the local athletes direct their thoughts away from their opponents and focus on things they were good at.

He said the second and third skills were emotion and anxiety regulations adding that some games might trigger high pressure to win and a lot of anxiety.

He said athletes must learn to keep calm.

Also, Prof. Tshube advised athletes to reduce unnecessary interactions and travel outside the village and eliminate social media interactions.  Ends