Olympian approach to handling success and failure

A USOPC clinical psychologist, Emily Clark, is leading mental health and performance support for Team USA ahead of the Winter Games in Italy on Feb. 6; she emphasizes focusing on process and sleep as key elements of performance.

Emily Clark, a clinical psychologist with the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, is helping athletes prepare mentally as the Winter Games open in Italy on Feb. 6. She is part of a 15-member staff that provides psychological services covering both mental health and mental performance. The team works with athletes who face pressure, setbacks and the reality that most competitors will not win gold. Clark emphasizes stress management, sleep and learning to focus on the process rather than only results. Key points: - Clark says most Team USA athletes will not win a gold medal, reflecting the realities of elite sport. - The United States is expected to send about 235 athletes to the Winter Olympics and about 70 to the Paralympics. - The USOPC psychological staff addresses a range of issues including motivation, anxiety, eating disorders, family matters, trauma, depression, sleep and travel challenges. - Clark often tells athletes to focus on the process, savor the moment, develop resilience from setbacks and stay on task under pressure. - Clark and athletes cited sleep as central to performance; reported recommendations include avoiding caffeine after 3 p.m., keeping a regular sleep schedule, sleeping in a dark room, and aiming for 7–9 hours. - Athletes such as Kendall Gretsch and Alysa Liu have spoken about the value of sports psychology support, and Lindsey Vonn is noted as returning for a sixth Olympics at age 41. Summary: The USOPC program aims to help athletes redefine what success means, build resilience, and manage stress and recovery as part of performance preparation. Officials and athletes highlighted sleep and a process-oriented focus as important components. The Winter Games in Italy open Feb. 6.