The Olympic Village in Paris will go down in history. For the first time in history, a nursery for the children of athletes and a space for mental health for athletes will see the light of day, the International Olympic Committee announced on Wednesday.
The future kindergarten “will not provide childcare services” but will be a “play space that encourages family bonding” that can be booked “for private or shared time slots,” the organization points out.
“Many athletes have to juggle their sports career and family,” said former Finnish ice hockey player Emma Terho, president of the IOC Athletes’ Commission. “I know what it’s like to compete in the 2014 Winter Olympics as the mother of a young child.”
“Listen to their emotions”
In her view, “pregnancy and motherhood should not mean the end of the careers of female athletes”, and the topic is increasingly being raised by sports authorities, including FIFA, which recently extended maternity leave adopted in 2011 and advocates for “more contacts” between players. and their families during international tournaments.
In addition, the Olympic village, located between Saint-Denis and Saint-Ouen, will include the team in “a space that allows athletes and those around them to listen to their emotions and prepare psychologically,” the IOC announces.
“No issue is insignificant in the eyes” of this dedicated team, “whose members are trained in athlete protection and mental health first aid,” promises the organization, which will also offer “mindfulness activities” – breathing, visualization. – to reduce anxiety and improve concentration.
Source: Le Parisien
I have worked in the news industry for over 10 years. I have a keen interest in sports and have written for many different publications. I am currently working as an author at 24 News Recorder. I cover mostly sports news but also write about other topics such as current affairs and politics. I have a strong interest in social media and how it can be used to engage with audiences.
