No more medals, impossible! On Wednesday, in Madrid, former swimmer Michael Phelps met Teresa Perales, who hopes to be present at the Paris Games in 2024. Between them, they have 55 Olympic and Paralympic medals (28 for the American, 27 for the Spanish). But the two swimmers were not really present at the World Business Forum in the Spanish capital to talk about swimming to the business leaders present.
Michael Phelps mainly spoke about mental health, as reported by the newspaper A.S., he who went through a deep depression. “I thought about killing myself, and it’s scary,” confesses the Baltimore native. There is light at the end of the tunnel, and I want to support people who are struggling. Talking about mental health saved my life. »
“Talking can save lives”
The man who won 23 gold medals at the Olympic Games says he went through post-Olympic depression each time, particularly after Athens (2004): “I hit rock bottom without telling anyone. In 2008, I fell into the same spiral. In 2014, I no longer wanted to be alive. » What saved him: going to a care center.
“Today I can look at myself in the mirror. I’m not afraid to die things, explained the American. I hope people can fight like me. One in four people have a mental health problem. Naomi Osaka or Simone Biles spoke and shared their problems. And that can save lives. »