Dubai Summit: Athletes Talk Mental Health in Elite Sports

Athletes who normally talk about winning are now opening up about something just as important: their mental health.

The inaugural World Sports Summit in Dubai brought together sports legends including NBA champion Tony Parker, boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, and Olympic fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad. Instead of celebrating victories, they spent two days discussing the invisible pressures that come with elite competition.

"We don't often hear about the different struggles that exist in sport, especially regarding mental health," Muhammad told reporters. "But I'm excited about where we are at this moment in history, where we're being more open about what athletes go through."

The conversations revealed challenges most fans never see. UFC fighter Michael "Venom" Page described the mental battles during breaks between fights. "You spend a lot of time with yourself, you start questioning things," he said.

Former NBA player Vlade Divac highlighted how constant media attention creates unique pressure. "You have to find a way to protect yourself from false information and unnecessary pressure," he explained.

Why This Inspires

The summit represents a cultural shift in how sports addresses athlete wellbeing. Women's soccer is leading the way with concrete support systems. NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman shared how her league now provides mental health professionals, social media monitoring, and anonymous reporting systems for players.

Ukrainian heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk showed how athletes can inspire during crisis. "When you win, it motivates people," Usyk said about competing during Ukraine's war. "People believe it's possible."

Faith and purpose emerged as key coping strategies. Pacquiao emphasized belief and hard work, while Parker focused on gratitude for doing what he loves. "We're very blessed to do what we love as a passion," Parker said. "Sports bring people together, and we can inspire kids."

FIFA President Gianni Infantino praised the diversity of voices at the summit, noting how bringing together athletes from different sports created meaningful dialogue. Former NBA player Baron Davis called it a rare chance to learn across disciplines.

Khalfan Belhoul, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, observed something unusual: athletes felt comfortable discussing topics they normally avoid. "The level of validation and comfort they had to discuss these points was amazing to see," he said.

The summit didn't solve every problem facing athletes, but it proved that sports culture is ready to have honest conversations about mental health.