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Psychological preparation of athletes for the Olympic context: The New Zealand Summer and Winter Olympic Teams. Research Completed

Title

Psychological preparation of athletes for the Olympic context: The New Zealand Summer and Winter Olympic Teams.

Lead Author

Hodge, K. & Hermansson, G.

Organisation(s)

Athletic Insight, University of Otago, NZ Olympic Committee

Publication Year

2007

Publisher

Athletic Insight

Contacts

www.athleticinsight.com

Ken Hodge, Profile and contact details: http://physed.otago.ac.nz/staff/khodge.html

Abstract

The article discusses the psychological preparation of athletes from New Zealand who will participate in the Summer and Winter Olympic teams. The four-year cycle of the Olympic Games provide athletes with opportunities to gain experiences in their sports. Elite athletes have developed mental skills over the past years, moving from problem focused to opportunity focus on psychological preparation. The authors outline the common mental challenges identified with New Zealand athletes and then outline one particular strategy (a “One-Team/One-Spirit” vision/philosophy) that New Zealand Olympic Teams have employed over recent Games. Also discussed are pre-event mental preparation and stress management.

Keywords:

Olympic, Games, Elite, Winter Olympic, Team, New Zealand, Spirit, Motivation, Stress, Performance

How to access

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Social research

International

Areas of Focus

High performance, Sport

Settings (location)

Other setting, Outdoors

Provision (delivery type & infrastructure)

Events, Professional