Los Angeles (AFP)
Former swimmer Michael Phelps, the most successful sportsman in Olympic history, called on athletes affected by the one-year postponement of the Tokyo Games to "take care" of their mental health on Monday.
"Really, I want everyone to make sure they take care of their mental health. This is something even more important now," said Phelps in an interview with Today on NBC.
"This is our life," tried to explain the American, retired from the pools, about the Olympic goal. "I tried to relive what I would feel emotionally right now, if I was still in competition. It's really hard to understand."
"We are going through a particular period for four years. We know exactly when it will happen, the bodies are ready for it, and then there ... we have to wait," he continued.
The International Olympic Committee and Japan have taken the historic decision to postpone the Tokyo Games for the first time this summer by 12 months, the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic preventing many athletes from training.
Phelps, who has never hidden suffering from depression, had already expressed his great concern just after the announcement of the postponement of the Olympics. "I really, really hope we don't see an increase in the suicide rate of athletes because of this," he said on the NBC Sports website.
"I will be the first to admit that I am still someone who is still suffering from depression and anxiety, and I have had a day or two in the past three weeks where it has been difficult ... I am sure that there are people who are going through the exact same thing, "he reiterated on Monday.
"If you are in a place where you need help, reach out and ask for help. It was something that was very difficult for me to do, I can understand it for someone who It’s something that changed my life at the same time. To be honest, it saved my life, "he said.
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