On this week’s episode of Sport Psychology Today, Dr. Andrew Jacobs speaks with cycling gold and silver medalist, Steve Hegg.
As a sport psychologist with 37 years of experience I have had the privilege of working with many athletes, coaches and teams at all levels of competition.
During the 1980’s, I was honored to work as the team psychologist for the US Cycling team.
I spent many hours with the athletes and coaches and accompanied them to three World Championships as well as the 1984 Olympics, where the US team won nine medals.
These were the first medals the team had won in 72 years.
Throughout my time with the cycling organization, I witnessed the ins and outs of what it takes to compete at the highest level in this sport. I also became aware of the pressures athletes and coaches will go to gain an advantage in competition.
In our latest segment of Sport Psychology Today, I interviewed 1984 cycling gold and silver medalist, Steve Hegg about these pressures and how many athletes will do anything they could do to gain that edge, whether it was illegal or not.
We discussed the recent ban of the Russian Olympic team from the upcoming winter Olympics in South Korea. Steve also shared his thoughts about why athletes will cheat to gain an edge and the benefits or possible punishments that can occur from cheating.
His experience as an Olympic champion and a many time national champion gives an interesting perspective about the demands placed on athletes who compete at this level and how they will deal with the pressure.
Our discussion explores the role self confidence has in trusting their training and giving the athlete the best chance to succeed.
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