One after another, they have filed through the mixed zone at the Australian Swimming Championships and spoken of their struggles. Some narratives have been harrowing - tales of depression and eating disorders - while others have taken long breaks from the sport, unsure if they would ever return.
Swimming, like most modern sports, is acutely aware of the importance of managing the mental wellbeing of athletes. It’s built into their pathway programs and includes close collaboration with the Australian Institute of Sport, which has poured significant resources into the sector. But disappointment, often crushing, is part of the DNA of elite sport. When years of work fail to gain the desired outcome, the descent can be rapid and the landing violent and alarming. On many occasions, the default setting is to find a way out alone, instead of seeking help from those around them.Delly Carr / SAL
“Last year, even before last year, I had some of my darkest times. To come out of that, to be enjoying what I’m doing and to be happy to be doing it, that’s an amazing feeling,” Incerti said.
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