Fear of the Unknown: Locked-down Athletes Face Mental Health Risks

When Olympic swimmer Kyle Chalmers completed his final training period before the coronavirus shutdown, he felt great sadness and fear of what was to come.

Fear does not come easily to the 21-year-old Australian. He has undergone¹ two heart operations since winning the 100-meter freestyle event at the 2016 Summer Games in Brazil. His personal interests include raising crocodiles and snakes.

It took some "processing" to accept the fact that his dream of defending his Olympic victory had been delayed. But what Chalmers fears most is the idea of not being in a swimming pool for six months -- the length of time the swimming center where he trains may be closed.

Chalmers is one of thousands of high-level athletes whose dreams have been put on hold because of the 12-month delay of the Tokyo Olympics. Many of them are also in lockdown, with little to no ability to train for an unknown length of time.

Chalmers said, "Unknowns are quite challenging, especially for athletes whose days are mapped out from the minute they wake up to the minute they go to sleep."

Losing that structure, he added, is every athlete's fear.

Health experts warn that a long period of isolation² could affect the mental health of many people, especially those who might link self-worth to competition.

Dealing³ with difficulties

Caroline Anderson is a mental health expert who works⁴ with professional and Olympic athletes. "That sudden stopping of the sport, from a physiological⁵ or biological standpoint⁶, there's a reduction⁷ in endorphins but also (a loss of) identity," she said.

She said a lot of athletes are still experiencing feelings of shock or disbelief. She said athletes often deal with life difficulties by working out really hard or preparing for a competition. "They haven't got that anymore, which is very difficult," Anderson noted⁸.

Top athletes usually have exceptional⁹ drive, skill and the ability to perform well under extreme pressure. But they are no less likely to experience mental health problems.

Self-isolation raises the threat of serious mental health problems -- and not just for athletes with pre-existing conditions, Anderson said.

Dealing with unknowns

Many athletes have tried to stay hopeful and happy, at least on social media. They have made use of spaces inside their homes to work out. Some have posted cheerful videos of themselves staying fit by using their children as weights to lift, for example.

Tennis great Roger Federer cheered fans with a video of himself practicing trick-shots against a wall as it snowed at his Switzerland home.

In place of swimming, Chalmers has taken to yoga, biking and hiking to stay in shape. He is waiting for a small swimming pool housed in a shipping¹⁰ container to arrive at his home.

Another Olympic swimmer, Chad le Clos is trying to make the best of the situation by attaching himself to a bungee cord¹¹ as he swims in his own small pool in Cape¹² Town, South Africa.

"You have to be creative given the limitations¹³ you have," he told Reuters.

"That will help to keep me going."

I'm John Russell.

Words in This Story

athlete -n. a person who is trained in or good at sports, games, or exercises that require physical skill and strength

challenging -adj. difficult

isolation -n. the state of being in a place or situation that is separate from others : the condition of being isolated¹⁴

physiological -adj. characteristic of or appropriate to an organism's healthy or normal functioning

endorphin -n.a hormone¹⁵ released¹⁶ by the brain and nervous system and causing a number of physiological operations

bike -v. to ride a bicycle

hiking -v. to walk a long distance especially for pleasure or exercise : to go on a hike

bungee cord -n. a very strong rope that can be stretched and that has hooks on either end

1 undergone   

undergo的过去分词

参考例句：

• The way in which we work has undergone a complete transformation in the past decade. 在过去的十年里，我们的工作方式经历了彻底的变革。
• Her whole attitude had undergone a subtle change. 她的整个态度发生了微妙的变化。

2 isolation   

n.隔离，孤立，分解，分离

参考例句：

• The millionaire lived in complete isolation from the outside world.这位富翁过着与世隔绝的生活。
• He retired and lived in relative isolation.他退休后，生活比较孤寂。

3 dealing   

n.经商方法，待人态度

参考例句：

• This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
• His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。

4 works   

n.作品，著作；工厂，活动部件，机件

参考例句：

• We expect writers to produce more and better works.我们期望作家们写出更多更好的作品。
• The novel is regarded as one of the classic works.这篇小说被公认为是最优秀的作品之一。

5 physiological   

adj.生理学的，生理学上的

参考例句：

• He bought a physiological book.他买了一本生理学方面的书。
• Every individual has a physiological requirement for each nutrient.每个人对每种营养成分都有一种生理上的需要。

6 standpoint   

n.立场，观点

参考例句：

• We should look at this from a historical standpoint.我们应从历史的观点看待这事。
• From my standpoint,this thing is just ridiculous.依我看来，这件事简直荒唐。

7 reduction   

n.减少，减低，减缩；减少，减低

参考例句：

• Reduction in income tax will be welcomed with open arms.减少所得税将受到热烈欢迎。
• You will have a reduction for cash.付现金可以打折扣。

8 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

9 exceptional   

adj.优越的，杰出的，例外的，独特的，异常的

参考例句：

• He is a man of exceptional talent.他是位具有非凡才能的人。
• He showed exceptional musical ability.他显示出特殊的音乐才能。

10 shipping   

n.船运（发货，运输，乘船）

参考例句：

• We struck a bargain with an American shipping firm.我们和一家美国船运公司谈成了一笔生意。
• There's a shipping charge of ￡5 added to the price.价格之外另加五英镑运输费。

11 cord   

n.绳，线；纺织品；小电线；腱

参考例句：

• I wear a safety cord all the time.我一直带着安全绳索。
• I pulled the cord,and I felt a strong jerk.拉住绳索，我强烈的恐惧。

12 cape   

n.海角，岬；披肩，短披风

参考例句：

• I long for a trip to the Cape of Good Hope.我渴望到好望角去旅行。
• She was wearing a cape over her dress.她在外套上披着一件披肩。

13 limitations   

n.局限，不足之处

参考例句：

• The team's technical limitations were exposed by the Italians. 意大利人使这个队的技术缺陷暴露无遗。
• He knows his limitations as a writer. 他知道自己作为一个作家的局限性。

14 isolated   

adj.与世隔绝的

参考例句：

• His bad behaviour was just an isolated incident. 他的不良行为只是个别事件。
• Patients with the disease should be isolated. 这种病的患者应予以隔离。

15 hormone   

n.荷尔蒙，激素，内分泌

参考例句：

• Hormone implants are used as growth boosters.激素植入物被用作生长辅助剂。
• This hormone interacts closely with other hormones in the body.这种荷尔蒙与体內其他荷尔蒙紧密地相互作用。

16 released   

v.释放( release的过去式和过去分词 )；放开；发布；发行

参考例句：

• He was released on bail pending committal proceedings. 他交保获释正在候审。
• With hindsight it is easy to say they should not have released him. 事后才说他们本不应该释放他，这倒容易。