Mental health in elite athletes: International Olympic Committee consensus statement (2026)

The IOC's 2026 statement updates its 2019 consensus on mental health in elite athletes, built from a systematic review and a Delphi consensus process. Its key themes are that mental health symptoms and disorders are common among elite athletes, can arise from sport itself and can affect performance.

It recommends routine screening and monitoring with validated tools, and management that promotes well-being as well as preventing and treating problems, including the environments where athletes train and compete. Treatment may include psychotherapy, medication and other culturally appropriate approaches. With support, many athletes can keep training and competing safely, though sometimes participation needs to change. It flags athletes leaving sport, Para athletes and adolescent elite athletes as understudied groups with distinct needs.

Summarized from the published abstract; the full text was not open to us.