Andy Devaney
When Olympians talk about mental health, they’re not just sharing stories – they’re changing the game. To mark World Mental Health Day, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is amplifying those voices through its Mental Health Ambassadors programme, a global initiative helping athletes confront stigma, spark honest conversations, and build a culture of care across sport. It’s all part of the IOC’s broader Let’s Move +1 campaign, which celebrates movement not only as fitness but as medicine for the mind.
These ambassadors aren’t just faces on posters. They’re athletes who’ve been through the fire – and come out ready to help others. From India’s Olympic shooting champion Abhinav Bindra to Great Britain’s pole vault star Holly Bradshaw, the group spans continents and sports.
They’re joined by Camille Cheng (Hong Kong, swimming), Cha Jun-hwan (Republic of Korea, figure skating), Bruno Fratus (Brazil, swimming), Gracie Gold (USA, figure skating), Marie-Josée Ta Lou-Smith (Côte d’Ivoire, athletics), Ryan Pini (Papua New Guinea, swimming), Akani Simbine (South Africa, athletics) and Masomah Ali Zada (Refugee Olympic Team, cycling).
South African sprinter Akani Simbine didn’t mince his words about why he signed up.
“Many athletes experience mental health issues, but they don’t want to speak about it or don’t know who to turn to,” he said.
“I’ve been depressed and not wanted to speak about it myself. On the outside I seemed OK, but I was actually really struggling inside. I think I can help other athletes in a similar situation. If they listen to my story, it might give them the confidence to talk about their issues and deal with them.”
Brazilian swimmer Bruno Fratus echoed the same sentiment: “It feels like an opportunity to do something with all the precious information I have collected. We all struggle sometimes, and my fellow ambassadors and I will be here to help you take it off your chest. Let’s look out for each other.”
Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s Camille Cheng pointed out that the real challenge often lies in asking for help.
“All elite athletes have ups and downs in their career, and it’s okay to ask for help. There are plenty of resources out there, so you need to find the best ones for you. As an ambassador, hopefully I can help athletes with that – explaining how they can get help and ensuring they receive it quickly.”
Their message couldn’t be clearer: mental health matters. No one, not even the strongest, needs to face life’s pressures alone.
Movement as Medicine
Through its Let’s Move +1 campaign – a global initiative with the World Health Organisation – the IOC is reminding everyone that movement can be more than training; it can be therapy. The campaign encourages people to reach out to someone who might be struggling and get moving together. The idea is simple but powerful: physical activity strengthens the body, but connection strengthens the mind.
To mark the day, the IOC is releasing a short film featuring American figure skater and Mental Health Ambassador Gracie Gold, whose story is as raw as it is inspiring. Gold opens up about her own battle with mental health and the life-saving role her twin sister played during her darkest moments.
“If it weren’t for Carly, there wouldn’t be a Gracie. She really did save me. Carly just showed up for me,” she said. “It can be hard to know what to say or to do when someone you care about is struggling. But support doesn’t have to be a grand gesture or saying the right thing. Often, it’s just showing up, being there for the everyday, silently letting them know you are there.”
Building a Safer Sporting World
The Mental Health Ambassadors initiative is one piece of the IOC’s growing effort to make elite sport a safer, more supportive place to compete. Last year, the IOC launched its Mental Health Action Plan — a roadmap for embedding emotional well-being into every layer of the Olympic Movement.
At the Games themselves, the IOC’s approach goes far beyond slogans. There’s a Cyber Abuse Protection System to block online toxicity before it reaches athletes; Athlete365 x Powerade Mind Zones to provide calm spaces within Olympic Villages; and a Mentally Fit Helpline offering confidential support in over 70 languages. Welfare Officers are also on hand for safeguarding and guidance.
Next up, the IOC plans to roll out a Train the Trainers course to equip sports leaders with tools to deliver local Mental Health Awareness Workshops, while the Mentally Fit e-learning platform continues to help athletes build resilience and mindfulness skills.
All of this feeds into the Athlete365 #MentallyFit hub – a one-stop resource packed with expert advice, tools, and support networks to help Olympians and their teams thrive both on and off the field.
For a movement built on strength, speed, and stamina, the IOC’s message this year is refreshingly human: being mentally fit is just as vital as being physically ready. And thanks to these Olympians, that message is reaching the world with honesty, hope, and heart.
