The first of its kind Mind Zone was praised by athletes at Paris 2024

October 10, 2024 – Among the mental health and well-being initiatives implemented at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games this summer, the new Mind Zone proved a success: 92 percent of athletes and support members who visited the space were satisfied.

Mindfulness has been found to reduce anxiety while increasing concentration, resilience and competitiveness. The Mind Zone was designed with the aim of providing athletes with a place in the Olympic Village where they can unwind and relax. The first floor location of the fitness center served to reinforce the IOC's message that mental and physical health are two sides of the same coin.

When I think back to my visit to the 2024 Paris Olympics, the Mind Zone was one of the most inspiring initiatives I experienced. I was so impressed to see a dedicated space where athletes could focus on their mental wellbeing, which is vital to both their competition preparation and their overall health. On World Mental Health Day, I commend the IOC for its commitment to prioritizing and promoting mental health and call on other organizations to follow suit

Dr. Tedros Adhanom GhebreyesusWHO Director General.

Thousands of users from 148 countries

Offered in collaboration with global Olympic partner Coca-Cola through the Powerade brand, the Mind Zone offered a tailored, immersive virtual reality (VR) mindfulness experience that took place in separation pods and encouraged athletes to practice calming breathing and breathing exercises Try out visualization exercises, even do them yourself, past the Eiffel Tower and into the Olympic Stadium. During the games, users from 148 countries completed more than 2,300 VR sessions.

“I personally love the Mind Zone; it’s overwhelming,” Mexican archer Ana Vázquez said during the Games. “(The VR experience is) just incredible; I cried the first time I did it and since then I have been there many times because I want to have a good rest and prepare for the competition.”

The space also provided a calm and peaceful environment for athletes to relax and try out activities such as painting, yoga and postcard writing.

An IOC team was on site to guide the athletes through the activities and conduct confidential discussions if necessary. Critical to the success of the initiative was the full integration of the Mind Zone into other measures, which were carefully designed as part of a safeguarding and mental health emergency action plan to ensure that any athletes requiring further support had multiple ways to access it . Trained psychologists and psychiatrists were also available.

The Mind Zone was part of the most comprehensive package of mental health services ever offered to Olympic athletes.