With the upcoming Winter Olympics, physical and technical preparation reaches its peak. However, the Olympic environment presents unique psychological factors that can undo years of training.
For qualified Swiss athletes, success in Milan-Cortina will depend on mastering these four areas of mental performance.
1. Maintenance of neuronal homeostasis in a saturated environment
The Olympic Village is a highly sensory ecosystem. The multitude of interactions, the collective logistics, and the media frenzy create a constant mental strain.
The challenge : Avoid cognitive fatigue before the competition.
NEXOO recommends : Athletes should develop strategies for sensory detoxification. This includes carefully planning periods of seclusion and using "bubble" techniques to protect the parasympathetic nervous system. The goal is to maintain full mental readiness for competition.
2. Cognitive flexibility in the face of climate risks
At these Olympic Games, the winter sports are structurally dependent on weather conditions (visibility, snow moisture, wind). Uncertainty is the only constant.
The goal : To avoid frustration and loss of concentration due to shifts or changes in conditions.
NEXOO's advice : Develop cognitive flexibility. Athletes train to adapt their action plan in a flash and without emotional strain. By accepting unpredictability as a technical aspect of the game, they transform chance into a competitive advantage over unsettled opponents.
3. Psychological resilience to external expectations
High medal expectations prevail in Switzerland. Social, familial, and media pressure creates a psychological burden that focuses attention more on the result than on the performance itself.
The challenge : To prevent national interests from disrupting the smooth running of the technical process.
NEXOO's advice : Free yourself from expectations. This means breaking down performance into the smallest, measurable goals. By focusing exclusively on the factors they can influence, athletes block out external influences and maintain an optimal performance level – independent of historical or media influences.
4. Distinction between performance identity and human identity
An excessive focus on the Olympic goal often leads to a fusion of identities: The athlete ultimately links their personal worth with their final ranking.
The challenge : To limit the performance anxiety associated with the fear of failure.
NEXOO's advice : Distance yourself from your own identity. By separating the person from their sporting results, the athlete reduces the perceived threat. This psychological distance allows them to approach competitions with greater freedom of action and calculated risk – essential prerequisites for reaching the top of the podium without being paralyzed by the importance of the competition.
The difference between a podium finish and a poor performance lies in the ability to control these invisible factors. At the Milan-Cortina Olympics, mental preparation was not an additional element, but an essential component of athletic performance.
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