Reflections from Athens to Paris — From Athlete to Psychologist

As published in the Australian Olympic Committee Limitless Magazine 2025

Twenty years ago, I stepped onto the mats at the Athens Olympics as an athlete, representing Australia in Taekwondo. It was a defining moment in my career—the culmination of years of training and sacrifice. Competing at the pinnacle of sport was, of course, an honour, but it was also an immense challenge, teaching me invaluable lessons about preparation, resilience, and the realities of elite performance in the Olympic environment.

Fast-forward two decades, and I returned to the Olympic arena at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games —this time as the Lead Psychologist for the Australian Olympic Team. It was a surreal full-circle experience, offering me a unique perspective as both an athlete and a professional. It was also a rare and privileged opportunity to go back, this time in a very different role. Athens gave me firsthand insight into the psychological complexities of the Olympic Games. The heightened expectations, the scale of the event, and the sense that everything had been building towards this one moment created an entirely different level of pressure. Competing at World Championships and World Cups had been challenging, but the Olympics was something else entirely. The village itself could feel isolating, especially coming from a small sport where I didn’t know many others. Team dynamics shifted, and emotions ran high. Reflecting on my own experience helped me shape my approach to working with athletes in Paris—I knew how important it was for them to feel seen, supported, and understood.

One moment from Athens that has always stayed with me happened about a week before I was due to compete. I suffered an injury in training—something every athlete dreads—and was immediately consumed with anxiety about how it might impact my performance. I’ll never forget when the legendary Peter Brock, working as an athlete liaison at the Games, pulled me aside. He simply wanted to check in, see how I was coping, and help me refocus on what I could control. His kindness and support left a real impression on me. I hope that 20 years later, I and the incredible team of AOC staff at the Games were able to provide those same moments of reassurance to the athletes in Paris.

My role in Paris was broad. My colleague and I were there to support athletes and staff across a range of challenges—managing performance pressure, handling team dynamics, addressing mental health concerns, and responding to critical incidents. The Olympic experience is exhilarating but can also be overwhelming. The intensity of competition, the isolation of the “Olympic Bubble,” the weight of expectations, and the inevitable post-event reflection create a complex psychological landscape that requires careful navigation.

A significant part of my work in Paris involved helping athletes manage these challenges. Once of the most important aspects was the support provided after competing. The reality is that not everyone wins medals, and not everyone performs as they had hoped, just as I experienced in 2004. For some, the post-event period can feel like their whole world has come crashing down. Being there for those athletes in that moment—helping them process their experience, regain perspective, find pride in their achievements, and begin to move forward—was one of the most meaningful aspects of my role.

Beyond the professional lessons, Paris was an incredibly special experience. This time, I wasn’t competing, so I could truly soak in the atmosphere of an Olympic city. I was incredibly lucky to watch some amazing sport, and Paris really did put on a spectacular show. It was also the longest time I’ve been away from my husband and three kids, which was a strange experience, but we were all rewarded when my family met me in Europe after the Games, and we were fortunate enough to enjoy a holiday together.  Above all, it was so special to be part of an incredibly supportive team, work alongside other passionate professionals, and play a small role in supporting athletes on their Olympic journey.

By Caroline Anderson