Mental Health in Sports: Elizabeth Tartakovsky's Journey

Simone Biles's outspokenness about mental health struggles in sports has sparked a crucial conversation. American fencer Elizabeth Tartakovsky shares her own experiences and emphasizes the significance of addressing mental health in the competitive arena.

Mental health has ascended to the forefront of the sports conversation, thanks in large part to the bravery of Simone Biles. The four-time Olympic gold medalist openly discussed the emotional challenges faced by athletes, igniting a vital dialogue about resilience and self-care.

Elizabeth Tartakovsky, who will make her Olympic debut representing Team USA in Paris, has forged a path of her own in this mental health movement. She recognizes the importance of acknowledging and addressing mental well-being in a sport like fencing, where lightning-fast reactions and unwavering focus are paramount.

Growing up in a fencing dynasty, Tartakovsky witnessed the highs and lows of the sport from an early age. Her great uncle, the legendary Olympic coach Yury Gelman, guided the men's Sabre team to a silver medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics.

Inspired by the precision and elegance of the sport, Tartakovsky began honing her skills under Gelman's tutelage. However, as she matured and the competition intensified, she discovered the mental toll that fencing could exact.

"I started working with a sports psychologist, maybe in high school, just to learn how to deal with all these different emotions, the pressure, expectations, and also just learning how to perform well under stress," Tartakovsky shared.

In fencing, every point unfolds within a matter of seconds, demanding an exceptional ability to manage emotions and recover quickly from adversity. Tartakovsky embraced the guidance of a sports psychologist to develop these essential skills.

The 2022 NCAA Women's Sabre national champion harbors aspirations of Olympic gold but acknowledges that the path to victory is not defined solely by physical prowess. Success in fencing, she emphasizes, hinges on mental dominance and the ability to perform at one's peak under intense pressure.

"If it were just about who trains the hardest and who is the most athletic, then we would see the same person win every time, but that's not the case," Tartakovsky observed. "It's really about who can show up on that day and be the most mentally dominant as well."

Tartakovsky's journey as an athlete and an advocate for mental health has been both challenging and transformative. She believes that the increased visibility and awareness of mental health issues in sports are crucial steps towards creating a more supportive and inclusive environment for athletes of all levels.