Michael Phelps: Hopefully the suicide rate among athletes will not increase

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Michael Phelps says depression led him to not want to live 2:42

(CNN Spanish) - Michael Phelps in an interview with NBC Sports supported the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics, but also expressed concern about the athletes' mental health - the most decorated former swimmer of all time at the Olympics with a record Of 28 medals, 23 of them gold, he did a phone interview with Tim Layden on NBC Sports.

"I really, really hope we don't see an increase in athletes' suicide rates because of this. Because mental health is the most important thing here. This postponement is unknown waters. We have never seen this before. It was the right decision, but it breaks my heart thinking about athletes, ”said Phelps.

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Phelps has previously spoken about his struggles with depression saying he had considered taking his own life and how he hopes he can help others fight the disease.

In a CNN interview in 2018, conducted by CNN World Sport's Patrick Snell, the multiple Olympic champion said he would like to make a difference.

"I wish I could save a life if I can. You know for me that this is more important than winning a gold medal. ” What I am doing now is very exciting. It's difficult, it's challenging but it's fun for me. That is what drives me to get out of bed every morning. "

1 of 11 | This is the second time that the Olympic Games have been held in Tokyo, previously it hosted the Games in 1964. Tokyo was rejected to organize the 2016 event. Getty Images | Look at the gallery →

2 of 11 | The new Tokyo National Stadium, was in charge of the architect Kengo Kuma, who obtained more than 70,000 cubic feet of wood from each of the 47 prefectures of the country for the enclosure. Getty Images

3 of 11 | The new Tokyo National Stadium, was in charge of the architect Kengo Kuma, who obtained more than 70,000 cubic feet of wood from each of the 47 prefectures of the country for the enclosure. Getty Images

4 of 11 | The stadium has 68,000 seats, cost $ 1.4 billion and was opened on December 15, 2019. Getty Images

5 of 11 | Athletes competing in the games will sleep on cardboard beds and plastic mattresses to reduce the event's carbon footprint. Getty Images

6 of 11 | Tokyo 2020 (now 2021) will have five new sports: Skate, Karate, Surf, Rock Climbing, and Baseball / Softball. Getty Images

7 of 11 | The US network NBC paid for the broadcasting rights until 2032, US $ 7.7 billion. Getty Images

8 of 11 | The medals were made with the collection of mobile devices after the launch of a campaign called "Everyone's Medal." Around 79,000 tons of used cell phones and other small electronic devices were collected. Getty Images

9 of 11 | The meaning of the Miraitowa pet names (blue and white) is "future and eternity". Someity (red and white) is the name of the cherry blossom variety Someiyoshino, which means "so powerful". Getty Images

10 of 11 | In Tokyo 2020, facial recognition will be used to improve security and make stadium tickets more efficient for participants and accredited staff. Getty Images

11 of 11 | According to a Greenpeace report, high-level radiation hot spots can be detected at a sports complex in Fukushima prefecture. The Japanese Ministry of the Environment assured that it carried out a major decontamination. Getty Images

"I was prepared to hear that the Games would be postponed"

In the interview with NBC Sports, Phelps said that he had not been surprised by the decision to postpone the appointment in Tokyo, but believes that they delayed to do so.

“I didn't see the way that everything will work. We have had problems in the past, the air quality in Beijing (2008) and the Zika virus in Rio, but this is bigger. It didn't seem like something that could be managed or controlled. I just didn't see the dots connect. "

• READ: How to get help for someone who could commit suicide

Look here the lines of care and prevention of suicide in Latin America and Spain.

Call 1-800-273-8255 in the United States to contact the National Suicide Prevention Line. Provides free and confidential assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for people in suicidal or distressed crises. You can learn more about their services here, including their guide on what to do if suicide signals are identified on social media. You can also call 1-800-273-8255 to talk to someone about how you can help a person in crisis. Call 1-866-488-7386 for TrevorLifeline, a suicide prevention counseling service for the LGBTQ community.

For assistance outside the US, the International Association for Suicide Prevention provides a global directory of resources and international hotlines. You can also turn to Befrienders Worldwide.

Coronavirus Michael Phelps Tokyo 2020