Naoya Nagata: Toward the Olympic and Paralympic Games

With the decision to hold the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo in 2020, the sports world has become very lively. At Keio University, it has also been decided that the British team will hold their pre-games training camp at the Hiyoshi Campus. As part of those preparations, the Institute of Physical Education, to which I belong, is conducting student-led activities titled the "KEIO2020project" to prepare for the arrival of the athletes visiting Hiyoshi.

It is self-evident that meticulous preparation is necessary for athletes to demonstrate their maximum potential at the games. In this preparation, it is necessary to strengthen and adjust not only the physical aspects of the athletes but also their psychological aspects. In this regard, sports psychology conducts research on the psychological strengthening and adjustment of athletes.

This research was also conducted in preparation for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics as a study on "performance anxiety." Based on the research results passed down since the previous Tokyo Games, I also support athletes aiming to participate in the Olympics and Paralympics as a certified Sport Mental Training Consultant of the Japanese Society of Sport Psychology and as a staff member of the Japan Paralympic Committee Medical, Science, and Information Support (Psychology Division).

As the actual event approaches, athletes add preparations that simulate the actual competition to their training. In 2020, there will be less preparation involved with overseas competitions compared to before. Because the travel distance is short, there is no jet lag. They can watch Japanese television and hear cheers in Japanese.

On the other hand, there are also points of concern. The fact that Japanese is everywhere means there is a possibility that unnecessary information will enter their ears. This might be information that increases an athlete's anxiety. Furthermore, being able to understand the cheers can potentially become a source of pressure for the athletes. While there are not only advantages, athletes must become able to demonstrate their maximum strength in competition regardless of the situation.

There is now about a year and a half left until the opening of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. I hope to make good preparations together with the athletes so that they can overcome various situations and turn them into strength.