But what was this golden retriever doing next to the US gymnastics team?

“I’ve already told people that this is the best thing that USA Gymnastics can do for us,” said Jocelyn Roberson, a gymnast on Team USA. New York Timesin an article published on July 4. The athlete is talking here about Beacon, a “therapy dog” whose mission was to calm American athletes during the selection process for the Paris Olympics, we read in the same article. This innovative initiative stems from the desire to give special importance to the well-being of athletes. And the bet works. their testimonies are delusions.

Athlete support

Beacon is a 4-year-old golden retriever who was trained as a “therapy dog” as a puppy. Her owner, Tracy Callahan Molnar, is a former rhythmic gymnast and coach herself. Together, they are used to volunteering at hospitals and at the California Institute of Technology, a private American university. “Not every dog ​​is cut out for it, but it turns out he’s good at it and loves it, which was a very important aspect for me,” says Tracy Callahan Molnar. New York Times. The animal has an Instagram account, @goldendogbeacon, which has more than 29,000 followers.

His mission? Relieve athlete stress. The idea was the brainchild of Caroline Hunter, its owner and head of USA Gymnastics’ rhythmic gymnastics program.

Doctor Maggie O’Hair, a specialist in the relationship between people and dogs, explains to the American daily that petting a dog calms us down when we are faced with a stressful situation. More specifically, the gesture will help lower blood pressure, heart rate, and levels of cortisol, the stress hormone.

“I feel like she ignores reality, and sometimes that’s good for us, it keeps us from thinking too much,” said Shiels Jones, an American gymnast and six-time world medalist. New York Times. Olympic gymnast Sam Mikulak, who has struggled with episodes of anxiety and depression, agrees, believing that therapy dogs have “completely changed the game.” He goes on to explain that these animals successfully focus on the needs of athletes. “It’s so good,” he concludes.

A lesson learned from the Tokyo Games

The initiative follows the suspension of the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2021, the legend Simone Biles (Tuesday 30 July gold medalist in the Paris 2024 Games teams). Under the question mark? Mental block, the athlete noted. USA Gymnastics CEO Lee Lee Leung recognized the urgent need for action. “There is no doubt that we have learned a lesson from Tokyo about the critical importance of mental well-being.”

To achieve this, the introduction of therapy dogs is, of course, a great way, but it is far from enough, according to the general director. “If we just start a dog therapy program, well, that’s great, you have a nice and fluffy dog. caress But it means nothing if everything else is not in place,” he said New York Times. Continue and expand efforts in all areas.