The Human Side of High-Performance Sports: A Conversation We Need to Have

When we think of elite sports, what often comes to mind are podium finishes, medal ceremonies and moments of brilliance. But behind every highlight reel is a human being: complex, vulnerable and striving not just to perform but to belong. And sometimes, this human side of sport gets lost in the systems designed to achieve success.

Recent events have brought this conversation to the forefront. Imagine dedicating nearly a decade of your life to your craft, consistently performing at the highest level, earning accolades and representing your country with pride. And then, one day, being told you no longer "add value" to the team.

What does it mean to "add value"? Who gets to decide, and based on what criteria? These questions aren’t just about fairness - they go to the heart of how we nurture and sustain athletes in high-pressure environments.

For an athlete, being cut from a team isn’t just a career setback, it’s an identity crisis. The decision often feels final, a door slammed shut with little room for discussion or understanding. It’s not just about missing out on games or tournaments; it’s about losing a community, a purpose and sometimes even a sense of self-worth.

As a sports psychologist, I’ve seen how these moments can either crush an athlete or become a catalyst for growth. The difference often lies in how the decision is communicated and whether the athlete is treated as a person first and a performer second.

The best leaders in sport understand that performance is relational. Decisions about team selection, roles and futures should be rooted in transparency, empathy and clarity. Here’s what that could look like:

1.???? Honest Communication: Athletes deserve to understand the "why" behind decisions. Not just a perfunctory explanation, but a meaningful conversation that acknowledges their contribution and provides actionable feedback for growth.

2.???? Valuing the Person, Not Just the Performer: Whether an athlete makes the squad or not, their worth goes beyond their stats. Acknowledging their effort, commitment and humanity can soften the blow and leave the door open for future collaboration.

3.???? Focusing on Development, Not Just Destination: Athletes are dynamic; they evolve. Leaders and coaches who adopt a growth mindset in their evaluations can inspire the same mindset in their teams. Instead of framing decisions as an endpoint, frame them as a step in an ongoing journey.

Elite sports often operate within systems designed for efficiency and results. But when these systems prioritise output over people, they risk eroding trust, loyalty and well-being. Selection panels and performance metrics have their place, but they must coexist with empathy and holistic evaluation.

If we want our athletes to thrive - not just survive - in high-performance environments, we need to build systems that honour their humanity. That means creating spaces where athletes feel heard, valued and respected, even in moments of disappointment.

As leaders, coaches and supporters of sport, we have a responsibility to ask: Are we creating environments where athletes can be their best, not just in performance but in life? Are we equipping them to handle setbacks with resilience, not resentment? And are we leaving room for the possibility that their best days might still be ahead?

These aren’t just questions for selectors or high-performance directors. They’re questions for all of us who care about the future of sport. Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about winning medals. It’s about creating cultures of excellence that uplift and inspire, both on and off the field.

Let’s not lose sight of the human side of high performance.