“Not only do they have their own high expectations, but they also carry the hopes of their entire country and scrutiny of a global audience,” says Keerthana Swaminathan, a sports psychologist and president of the Indian Sport Psychologists Association.

“Being away from families, friends and home is a part of sportspersons’ lives but in Olympics, with all eyes on them, it could lead to further stress and anxiety.

“Olympians often have to deal with extensive travel and long periods away from family and friends, which can be really isolating. This combination can take a serious toll on their mental health, making it crucial for them to have strong support systems and access to mental health resources,” she adds.

And to ensure that Indian athletes have calmer minds, the a first of its kind specialised medical team is accompanying the contingent, featuring wellness specialists, and a sleep scientist among the regular medical staff.

“Representing and competing for one’s country can instil a deep sense of responsibility and pride but that also adds an additional layer of pressure as athletes at the Olympics often feel that they are competing for national glory,” says Dr Nanaki J Chadha, a Sport and Performance Psychologist.

Dealing with distractions is something that every athlete needs to learn since focussing on the ‘here and now’ goes a long way.

“It’s also about being able to harness that pressure because it’s natural for anyone to be in a high-stress situation, to have certain responses to that pressure. Your heart rate may increase, muscle tension may change, your rhythm may change,” explains Dr Divya Jain.

“So you need to train yourself to work through that pressure and also to harness that pressure to help do better, actually become stronger, (to) have more explosive movement, recognising that that’s the body we are preparing, rather than clearing that kind of competition situation,” she explains.

That mental health is a crucial aspect of an athlete’s overall competitive preparedness has been stressed quite often by India’s first individual Olympic gold-medallist Abhinav Bindra.

Bindra has often tlaked about his own struggles before the Beijing top finish.