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

Authors

Claudia L Reardon, Vincent Gouttebarge, Emily Kroshus-Havril, Cindy Miller Aron, Roald Bahr, Cheri Blauwet, João Mauricio Castaldelli-Maia, Camille Cheng, Alan Currie, Jeffrey Lee Derevensky, Carla Edwards, Sarah Fussek, Paul Gorczynski, Michael Grandner, Doug Hyun Han, Mary E Hitchcock, Frank Lu, Andrew Massey, David McDuff, Margo Mountjoy, Rosemary Purcell, Margot Putukian, Simon M Rice, Scott Sloan, Torbjørn Soligard, Jorunn Kaiander Sundgot-Borgen, Leslie Swartz, Jane S Thornton, Tshepang Tshube, Brian Hainline

Published in

British journal of sports medicine. Aug 11, 2026. Epub Aug 11, 2026.

Abstract

This consensus statement represents an update to Mental Health in Elite Athletes: International Olympic Committee Consensus Statement (2019) To advance a more standardised, evidence-based approach to mental health in elite athletes, an International Olympic Committee (IOC) Consensus Group critically evaluated the current science via a systematic literature review, sought consensus using Delphi methodology and provided recommendations relevant to this topic. Key themes include that mental health symptoms and disorders are (1) common among elite athletes; (2) may have sport-related aetiologies and manifestations; and (3) can impact performance. Routine screening for and monitoring of mental health symptoms and disorders in elite athletes using validated instruments is recommended. Management strategies should promote mental well-being in addition to preventing and treating mental health symptoms and disorders. These strategies should address all contributors to mental health symptoms, including factors within the environments in which athletes train and compete. Treatment may include psychotherapy, medication and other culturally or contextually appropriate modalities. With appropriate support and treatment, many athletes experiencing mental health symptoms and disorders can continue to train and compete safely, but sometimes modification of sport participation may be necessary. Elite athletes who are transitioning out of sport, elite Para athletes and elite young (adolescent) athletes are relatively understudied and may have distinct mental health concerns, in addition to those impacting elite athletes in general.

PMID:
42580854
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 12 Aug 2026.

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