The Psychological Impact of the Games

The Olympics represent more than just a sporting event; they are a collective emotional experience. Psychiatrist Claudio Mencacci, co-president of the Italian Society of Neuropsychopharmacology, explains that during the Games, the brain enters a state of high attention, filled with expectation and excitement and hope for athletes to succeed.

“The Olympics are not just a sporting spectacle, but a great collective event with emotional impact and media. During the races, our brain enters into a sort of ‘high attention’ mode.”

Claudio Mencacci

Medals, particularly gold medals, generate a sense of belonging and participation, fostering empathy towards athletes. The achievements of athletes like Federica Brignone, who won double gold, resonated deeply with the public.

Stories of Resilience and Human Connection

The Games too highlighted the human side of competition. The story of Ilia Malinin, a US skater who overcame a psychological breakdown, touched many. His return to the ice at the closing ceremony, after initially expressing his pain publicly, demonstrated resilience and vulnerability.

“I want to show the world that we are also human beings – we also have true thoughts, true feelings even though it seems like we are completely like robots (with) superhuman abilities.”

Ilia Malinin

The Risk of “Olympic Void Syndrome”

As the Games end, many individuals may experience a sense of emptying and apathy as they return to their daily routines. This transition can be challenging, requiring time to find new stimuli and interests. Mencacci hopes the Games will inspire Italians to embrace physical activity, recognizing its benefits for both body and mind.

“We pass from the ‘high attention’ mode to a progressive sense of emptying: the schedules, the rituals, the collective excitement end. We return to normal life, inevitably flatter. For some it can cause apathy or melancholy, to others simple nostalgia.”

Claudio Mencacci

Mencacci concludes by describing the Olympics as a secular ceremony, a return to civil and political life after a sacred rite.