PNG swimmer Ryan Pini. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Ryan Pini, the four-time Olympic swimmer from Papua New Guinea, has recently taken on a new role as the IOC's mental health ambassador.
Inside the Games reports Pini saying it is a true privilege to take on the role, emphasising his goal of advocating for culturally sensitive support and education on this matter for athletes worldwide.
He said he had a difficult period in his career in 2009 with what turned out to be a mental health issue.
"I was arriving late and leaving early; I wasn't putting in any effort; and I felt like I didn't have anything to give in training," he was quoted as saying by Inside the Games.
"I didn't understand what was happening, so I decided to do a bit of research online, and the first thing that popped up was about mental health, which took me by surprise a little bit - I always thought it wouldn't happen to me."
Pini said just being able to have that conversation about how you feel is very important.
Pini's advocacy will aim to encourage athletes, particularly those from regions where mental health remains taboo, to share their struggles, the rpeort said.
It added Pini's involvement with the Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee (PNGOC) and the Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) has provided him with a platform to promote emotional wellbeing at events like the Oceania Athletes' Forum, where he helped lead workshops focused on starting conversations about this psychological issue.