The Mental Health Race to Milano Cortina
As the 2026 Winter Olympics approach, mental health is becoming one of the biggest challenges facing Team USA athletes. According to the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee’s chief medical officer, nearly 50% of Olympians and 60% of Paralympians are expected to report stmptoms of mental health concerns heading into the Milano Cortina Garners.
In response, the USOPC has expanded its mental health services, hiring specialized providers and offering virtual access to hundreds of psychological professionals. However, the organization has also faced criticism in the past, with athletes like Michael Phelps speaking openly about the lack of support during earlier Olympic years.
“The Borders Commission, created by the USOPC in 2018, concluded in a 2019 report that mental health care can and must be expanded.”
