The psychological impact of racism on athletes

Racism is a very real and persistent issue, not just in sport, but in all other walks of life too.

In a sporting context racism can take many forms, including racial slurs from fans, discrimination at any level of the game, and prejudice. These experiences can have a negative impact on the mental health and well-being of athletes, leading to anger, frustration, and anxiety.

Racism and Mental Health

Racism can cause a range of mental health problems for athletes, affecting each athlete in a different way. These issues can take a toll on an athlete’s anxiety, depression, and even cause PTSD.

The consistent everyday racism can take an emotional toll, and in some cases, racism can also lead to physical symptoms, such as headaches, stomach problems, and sleep disturbances.

Let’s take a look at some of the effects of racism on your mental health:

• Increased stress, anxiety, anger and frustration
• Low self-esteem
• Depression
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Physical symptoms (headaches, stomach problems, sleep disturbances)
• Decreased motivation, focus, confidence
• Feeling isolated or alone
• Difficulty in achieving personal and professional goals
• Feelings of powerlessness and hopelessness.

How does racism impact performance?

Racism will affect an athlete’s performance. The stress and anxiety caused by racism can lead to decreased focus, motivation, and confidence.

Let’s take a look at some of the ways your performance can be affected by racism:

• Lack of desire to exercise
• Can’t focus
• Struggling with confidence
• Making mistakes and errors you wouldn’t normally make
• Lack of energy compared to normal
• Poor decision-making
• Struggling with teamwork and communication
• Slower recovery time

Find comfort in support

It’s important for athletes to have a supportive network of friends, family, coaches and teammates.

Support can help athletes to cope with the strain caused by racism, helping to provide them with a sense of comfort and security, and knowing that they’re not alone.

Additionally, seeking professional help, such as therapy or counselling can also be beneficial for athletes who are struggling with the psychological impact of racism.

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How to prevent racism in sport

Let’s take a look at how to prevent racism within your sport or organisation:

• Promote diversity and inclusion through education and training
• Encourage open communication and creating a safe space for discussions
• Enforce strict policies against racism and discrimination
• Encourage the reporting of any incidents of racism
• Kick it out: Enforce strict consequences for those who engage in racist behaviour
• Provide support and resources for those affected by racism
• Encourage diverse representation in leadership positions
• Celebrate diversity in all forms
• Regularly review and evaluate your progress towards a more inclusive environment.

Tackling Racism in your Sport

The Tackling Racism in Sport eLearning course on Accelerate Sport is written in partnership with Show Racism the Red Card.

This in-depth course will help sports and clubs take realistic steps to fight racism and discrimination wherever it appears, be in on the pitch, court or in the stands. It looks at stereotyping and micro aggressions, a range of case studies, simplifies the law and focuses on the use of terminology and acceptable / offensive terms. It’ll also allow learners to take on a range of scenarios in a safe environment.

Click HERE to enrol on the course.

Discover more about the course by watching a preview below: