When Leo Hayter decided to take a break from cycling last summer, he surprised everyone. A 23-year-old with an outstanding junior career and solid results among the pros, he chose to step away to prioritise his well-being and mental health. His words landed like a wrecking ball in the public discourse, at least among cycling enthusiasts.
Despite the stigma surrounding mental health in sports, some Gen Z athletes are challenging the status quo, using social media as a megaphone to share their needs and encourage others to speak up. Simone Biles, the greatest gymnast of all time, and tennis star Naomi Osaka had done the same in the past, aiming to encourage younger athletes to seek help without shame. And they're not alone; the list is long, especially among younger athletes. All likely inspired by the words of NBA player Kevin Love, one of the first to break the silence in recent times with a monumental article on The Players' Tribune.
A sensitivity and an approach to professional sports that is unprecedented, or almost. It's not just about breaking down barriers around mental health; young athletes are leaving their mark on a global transformation, in some ways natural and inevitable, of the sporting landscape.
Take, for example, Pecco Bagnaia, a two-time MotoGP world champion. In a recent interview, he challenged the common stereotype of the exuberant and unconventional motorcycle racer, a genius and a rebel: he said that during the championship break, he mostly spends time at home and going for walks, to clear his mind from racing and recharge for the new season. “Clarity of mind is indispensable in this profession”, he stated. “Instinct fuels speed; perhaps a touch of unconscious madness circulates, but on the track, every move is calculated, every choice is weighed. It's an unbridled passion that leads to mistakes.”
Young sports stars know how to make their voices heard. Compared to their predecessors, they have more tools, they know how to use them and they understand the responsibilities that come with them. The ability to address any topic, for better or worse, unfiltered, without external cameras or the interpretation of those who must relay words and intentions, is an enormous responsibility.
In this era of player empowerment, athletes want to be the authors of their own narrative and break down all barriers with the public to reveal their true personalities. They want to be the ones to guide the narrative about their approach to competition, how they manage pressure, and the values they embody.
This isn't necessarily a break from previous generations. Some are aware—and happy—to stand on the shoulders of giants from the past. Coco Gauff, an African American tennis player born in 2004, reminds us of this whenever she can. She's one of the world's tennis stars, seemingly always at ease discussing social issues, the gender gap, and much more. Gauff has no problem being a spokesperson for an entire generation of female tennis players, athletes, and others who have less visibility than her. But she never fails to cite LeBron James, Serena Williams, Billie Jean King, and Colin Kaepernick as role models and mentors in being global icons, public figures who embody a certain set of values.
Equality, inclusivity, and diversity are indispensable concepts. Another distinguishing feature is the scientific approach to their discipline, the use of data and technology for self-improvement, and a level of body care that's virtually unmatched. Many of them don't just rely on field and gym exercises or gut feelings; they seek data and information that can objectively demonstrate their progress. For many athletes, numbers have become a way better to understand their bodies or playing styles – in tennis, as in football, basketball, and numerous other disciplines. Data connects their actions to results and helps them make informed decisions on how to improve.
This evolution sees the rise of a new class of athletes who, with determination and passion, are proving that a different approach to competition is possible. After all, the future of sports belongs to them—indeed, they are the future of sports. And they're building it right now, step by step, continuing and expanding the path that other athletes have paved before them.
