Anxiety, isolation, even suicide ... You can be a high level professional athlete, and suffer from depression and psychological distress.
Even more at the heart of a health crisis affecting the amateur and professional world hard.
Based on this implacable observation, the Holistic Sports association has put itself at the service of athletes in order to offer them spiritual support.
But not only.
"These professional athletes, with this crisis and the two successive phases of confinement, suffer from a lot of physical, mental or even administrative problems", explains Joël Thibault, president of the association created in 2017 and international sports chaplain.
Press Release Holistic Sports launches a toll-free number for lone athletes 0805 385 285 Facing the crisis ...
Posted by Holistic Sports France on Tuesday, November 3, 2020
This idea slowly germinated in the mind of this 38-year-old evangelical pastor, passionate about sport from a young age, through speeches and conferences that led him to train other sports chaplains.
“I then felt a growing need in this environment.
This is proof that he suffers just as much as the others, regrets Joël Thibault, spiritual guide of French athletes, especially during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Today, we can count on a team of about twenty of people invested in the world of sport: managers, coaches, physiotherapists, but also volunteers.
"
"There are many needs, far too many"
With the reconfinement, effective in France since October 29 at midnight, the association decided to go further by formalizing in early November the opening of a green line to support and encourage isolated athletes, believers or not.
Eight “listeners” devote their time to those whose sport is work.
“During the first confinement in March, we helped around a hundred athletes, several of whom are part of the French national basketball, volleyball, rugby, football or even handball teams like Astride N'Gouan, continues Joël Thibault.
We understood that the first days of the cut had positive effects on their bodies.
Then they had suffered the backlash.
"
Stopping of domestic competitions, postponement of the Euro football or the Tokyo Olympics, loss of contracts or cuts in wages… So many events that weighed on the heads and bodies of athletes.
“In sports with fewer resources, athletes were left to their own devices.
Their mental health sometimes came into play. The level of anxiety and depression increased.
Some also caught the Covid-19 and suffered from it physically.
We give them the strength and the keys to hold on.
"
Support from Olivier Giroud
An initiative hailed by French international footballer Olivier Giroud.
Evangelical Christian, this close to the association used his media impact by sharing this action on his social networks.
“I met Olivier before Euro 2016, in Clairefontaine when I was coming to give a conference to young footballers in training, recalls the chaplain.
We talked a lot about his faith and made a special bond.
"A recent conversation between the two men, relating to the suicide, at the end of October, of a young 17-year-old footballer who had not been retained by Manchester City, prompted the 2nd top scorer in the history of the Blues to reshare the number of the green line.
About twenty additional athletes have been knocking on the association's door since the reconfinement, when several Federations and professional clubs have also requested help.
“Even if many athletes are still reluctant to call us out of fear or shame, it is a reality: there are many needs, far too many, regrets Joël Thibault.
What I often say is that I wish our line didn't ring.
"
The green line: 08.05.38.52.85.
Open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., 7 days a week. More information on www.holisticsports.fr
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