South African Olympian Elvira Wood is championing mental health awareness by helping fellow athletes navigate post-Olympic depression through her work with the South African Olympian Association.
Johannesburg, South Africa (11 September 2024) – The Olympics. It’s a stage where dreams are realised, where athletes push beyond their limits, and where nations come together to celebrate the spirit of sport. But for some, the journey doesn’t end when the flame is extinguished; it marks the beginning of a different, often challenging chapter.
This is the untold story of post-Olympic depression, and today, we are focusing on the inspiring work being done by South African Olympian Elvira Wood to support her fellow athletes through this difficult time.
Elvira is not just an Olympian; she’s a fierce competitor, a dedicated athlete, and a role model to so many. As a talented fencer who represented South Africa on the world’s biggest stage, Elvira knows firsthand the emotional rollercoaster that comes with preparing for and competing in the Olympics. The highs are exhilarating, but the comedown can be unexpectedly hard. When the spotlight dims and the adrenaline fades, athletes can often feel a profound sense of loss and disorientation.
This phenomenon, known as post-Olympic depression, is surprisingly common. Many athletes spend years, if not decades, training for their moment of glory. The anticipation, the pressure, the singular focus on one goal—when it’s over, the emptiness can feel overwhelming. The symptoms vary from person to person, but they often include feelings of sadness, anxiety, and a lack of direction. For some, it can even manifest as a sense of identity crisis. Recognising this struggle, Elvira has dedicated herself to helping other South African sportsmen and women navigate these complex emotions. Partnering with the South African Olympian Association (SAOA), Elvira is working tirelessly to create a support network for athletes who may feel lost after the games are over.
“It’s about reminding them that they are more than just their last performance,” she explains. “They have so much more to offer, and their value isn’t defined by a single competition.”
Elvira’s mission is simple but powerful: to provide hope, guidance, and community to those who may feel like their world has suddenly become smaller. Through conversations and mentoring, she shares her personal experiences and strategies to cope with life after the Olympics. The South African Olympian Association, too, has embraced this cause, offering resources and support groups to help athletes find new passions, develop new goals, and rediscover their purpose beyond their sport.
Recently, Elvira joined the Good Things Guy podcast to discuss her journey and her work with the SAOA.
“The more we talk about post-Olympic depression, the more we normalise it,” she says. “There’s nothing wrong with feeling lost. It’s about finding a new path, a new way to channel all that energy and dedication that made them Olympians in the first place.”
Her message is one of resilience and hope—a reminder that the end of one chapter is simply the beginning of another.
In the words of Elvira Wood: “The greatest victory is not just about winning medals, but finding strength in the moments after. There’s always another adventure, another challenge, another chance to make a difference.”
And with leaders like Elvira, South African athletes are proving that the flame of passion and purpose never truly goes out.
Listen to the podcast below:
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