Several weeks prior, a personal query was posed to acclaimed boxer Aidan Walsh during a conversation. He was questioned about the condition of the high-performance domain in sports. Walsh, having procured a bronze medal in Tokyo, made the cut for Paris and is soon to go for his next Olympic match. Although the inquiry might seem peculiar, it arose following the 27-year-old athlete’s admission of his ordeal in maintaining his boxing career and securing his place in Paris.
Generally, being in high performance is equated to being at optimum health and fitness. It’s believed to necessitate a lifestyle that is gratifying and healthy. This could involve representing Ireland in soccer or rugby, or participating in the Olympics. The potential rewards far outstrip the exertion, with gaining recognition on a global scale and the pride of bearing the Irish emblem being notable ones. These extend well beyond the confines of the specific sport pursued by any professional athlete.
For those not part of this elite realm, the commitment and self-sacrifice requisite to thrive in such an environment, particularly during Olympics, can inspire awe. Having entered the Olympic medal zone, like Walsh, is an achievement of a higher degree. It signifies exemplary capability, a self-assured attitude committed to accomplishment. This distinguishes the individual as someone who handles pressure better than most and can compete against the world’s top 1% in their sport. Above all, it suggests mental resilience and determination.
The question surfaced when Walsh openly started discussing his mental health, his experience of hitting rock bottom and rebounding. He shared his decision to quit boxing and how walking his dog had become his only physical activity.
The light-middleweight competitor garnered more than just a solitary medal at the Tokyo Olympics, carrying a legacy of previous triumphs. He claimed a gold title at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in sync with his sister, Michaela, who is slated to travel to Paris as well. Health complications appeared in the timeframe leading up to the aforementioned Commonwealth Games.
He recounted a collapse that occurred within the Sport Ireland facility in Dublin. The performance director witnessed the moment which happened in an office setting, and saw him hitting the ground in defeat. He found moments of euphoria during his time away, cherishing every minute fervently.
The athlete recognized his need for disciplined consistency and was acutely aware of the potential disarray that might occur if he didn’t follow through. Being obsessively driven partially led to his collapse, as he relentlessly chased specific goals. He confessed that returning to such obsessive tendencies would lead him down a destructive path. He vehemently asserted the imbalance of sacrificing wellbeing for sporting achievements.
Walsh isn’t alone in his struggles, several other athletes confide in similar encounters with riveting pressure and the battle that ensues against it. In 2021, Naomi Osaka, amidst shock waves in the tennis world, withdrew from the French Open highlighting her enduring depressive chapters since her US Open win in 2018.
Michael Phelps, the recipient of 28 Olympic swimming medals, confided at a mental health symposium in Chicago during 2018 that he had contemplated suicide. As per a CNN report from the symposium, he highlighted that facing life post-the 2012 Olympics in London was a colossal challenge. He expressed his temptation to quit his sport and how he didn’t want to continue living. He described hitting rock bottom when he confined himself to his room for several days, not partaking in meals and battling suicidal thoughts.
The realm of high performance is perceived as a fantastical dreamland where outcomes are of utmost significance and athletes seldom wield power or authority. This dreamland within the sporting milieu is an aberrant reality. While recreational competitors perceive competitive events as pleasurable and integral for social interaction, professional players endure tremendous pressure to perform. Grants hang in the balance, while the quest for qualifying rounds for World Championships and Olympic Games adds incessant stress.
Anticipating victory reinforces the underlying principles of coaching, the investment of time, the energy and funds poured into moulding both teams and individuals into formidable contenders. The merit of coaches and teams is gauged by the accomplishments of their sportsmen and sportswomen.
Athletes are characterised by their respective sports. Their self-esteem is intricately linked to their ability to achieve, rendering them susceptible to a spectrum of risks, some quite severe.
Addressing the topic of exceptional performance, Walsh provided a straightforward response.
“In my belief, pursuing something compulsively for years on end is not conducive to mental health,” he confided. “An array of repercussions exist, particularly for someone of my disposition.
“There are numerous things I must continually do correctly. I’m aware if I fail to do so, I won’t be able to sustain it. This was a key factor leading to my downfall – relentless pursuit of a specific aim. I recognise that if I retain that fixation, it’s simple to revert to that state. I can’t let that happen. I’m aware of the fallout.”
Life in the sports world isn’t simply about stylish team outfits and training in ideal climates. It encompasses overcoming the challenges presented every day.