It is not always easy to talk about issues a person goes through. And it becomes even harder with a topic as stigmatized as mental health. However, some people have served as forerunners to shed light on it. And in recent times, more and more athletes have come forward with their accounts. And Michael Phelps was among the first Olympians to bring the issue to the fore.
The swimmer has addressed the subject of mental health numerous times previously. And being the most decorated Olympian, he has helped garner a lot of attention on it.
What did Michael Phelps say about Simone Biles and Naomi Osaka?
Phelps has never shied away from speaking about his experience with mental health. As such, he has advocated spreading awareness on the subject. Moreover, he feels that the more people talk about it, the more it helps others to gain a deeper understanding of the matter.
Recently, the five-time Olympian attended a podcast to speak about his battle with depression and how he coped with it to come out victorious. During the interview, he speaks at length about his struggles and how he managed to continue his routines and chores despite the adverse effects of depression.
Applauding athletes for contributing to influencing better policies for future athletes regarding mental health, Phelps said, “Over the last two or three years, we’ve been able to kind of break down a lot of the walls surrounding mental health. And I think the weight of gold has helped.”
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At one point, the swimmer-turned-golfer praised the efforts of Olympians Simone Biles and Naomi Osaka in bringing about positive change in sports. Expressing his admiration for the athletes, the 28-time Olympic medalist added, “I think Simone Biles has helped, I think Naomi Osaka has helped.”
Phelps supported the athletes on previous occasions
There has been an increase in the number of people coming forward with their stories in recent times. However, Phelps emphasized that inspirational accounts from more people would still help others.
Speaking along these lines, he said, “We need more, we need more people, we need more help. This is something that’s real. It’s something that, I mean it’s bigger than any of us can even fathom.”
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Previously, Osaka and Biles withdrew from their events at some of the most prestigious meets. During this time, Phelps extended his support to their decision, and called it brave. Moreover, he even stressed how it could have changed somebody’s life for the better.
The post “Bigger Than Any of Us Can Even Fathom”: Michael Phelps Lauds Simone Biles and Naomi Osaka for Breaking Down The Walls to Athletes’ Mental Health appeared first on EssentiallySports.
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