30 Jul 2024 – The Athlete365 Mind Zone x Powerade has been helping you prioritise your mental health at Paris 2024 through various mindfulness activities, particularly in the build-up to your event and in the hours after.
Introduced exclusively for Paris 2024, the Athlete365 Mind Zone x Powerade is a first-of-its-kind space encouraging you to take a moment to pause, reflect and come back stronger throughout the Games.
From an immersive Virtual Reality (VR) mindfulness experience to taking time away from your phones to try some painting, athletes are embracing the opportunity to work on their mental fitness in Paris. The space has proved especially popular before and after events, when the emotions surrounding competition can be at their most intense. Experts from the IOC Safe Sport team are also on site to guide you through the activities and to have a confidential chat with you if you need to speak to someone.
Rewarding mindfulness activities
The Athlete365 Mind Zone is located on the second floor above the main Olympic Village gym, where you’ll enter a cool, tranquil space stocked with Powerade products to aid your recovery. The popular VR exercise takes place in a “disconnection pod”, where you can try calming breathing and visualisation exercises to reduce stress. Pre-paid postcards are also available for you to write personal messages of gratitude to your loved ones back home.
Ana Paula Vázquez is competing in archery for Mexico, and believes the space helped her prepare for her competition, where she won a bronze medal in the women’s team event alongside Alejandra Valencia and Angela Ruiz.
A mind-blowing experience
“For me personally, I love the Mind Zone; it’s mind-blowing,” she said.
“My psychologist told me there was a special place to meditate and to get ready for the competition. I thought it would just be a quiet area, but it is literally a Mind Zone, where you can wear VR goggles and try breathing exercises to prepare for competition, and to sleep well.
“You choose your own country and sport, and then you get a personalised video to help you prepare. And it’s just amazing; I cried the first time I did it, and I have been there a lot of times since then because I want to rest well and get ready for the competition. You can also do yoga, work with your mental coach or psychologist if you are anxious, and even paint there if that makes you feel better.”
Helping you recharge and refocus
Ana has not finished competing yet, as she still has her individual event to come. She is returning to the space regularly as she tries to come down from the high of winning a medal to prepare for her next event, and says that mindfulness plays a big part in her performance.
“In archery, you can be focused and at the same time be really active with your heart beating really fast,” she explains “So by meditating and breathing you can use that to your advantage; instead of fighting your emotions, just go along with them, which can help you make your best performance.”
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