Olympic Athletes Use Lucky Items and Routines for Good Luck

Many Olympic athletes believe in lucky charms and special routines. These can include wearing certain clothes, naming their sports gear, or doing things in a specific order. Athletes say these habits help them feel more confident and ready to compete.
By Newsroom | Sports, Olympics |

Athletes participating in the Olympic Games, particularly in sports like skating and skiing, often turn to superstitions and lucky charms as a way to gain an edge, according to recent reports. These practices, ranging from specific clothing items to repetitive routines and even naming equipment, are common despite the focus on peak physical and mental performance. While these actions might seem odd to an outside observer, they are deeply embedded in the athletes' preparation and mindset.

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The Pervasive Nature of Pre-Competition Rituals

The pursuit of success in high-stakes athletic events like the Olympics leads many competitors to adopt personal rituals and superstitions. These practices serve various purposes, often aimed at influencing outcomes or managing anxiety.

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  • Lucky Items: Athletes frequently rely on specific objects believed to bring good fortune. These can include:

  • A particular ring or piece of jewelry.

  • A lucky sweater or a camisole held together by a single thread.

  • Special underwear, sometimes chosen for its color.

  • Equipment and Naming: In sports like speed skating, the equipment itself can become a focal point for superstition.

  • Speed skaters often give names to their blades, with examples ranging from "Flash McQueen" and "Magnificence" to "Lando." This practice highlights a unique personal connection to their tools of the trade.

  • The duration of ownership of blades seems to influence whether they receive a name; one report notes a skater who stopped naming them after 18 months of use.

  • Routines and Color Choices: Established routines and symbolic color associations also play a significant role.

  • Repetitive actions are seen as a predictor of success, suggesting a belief in the power of familiar patterns.

  • Specific colors are chosen to invoke luck or prosperity. For instance, the captain of the Korean short track team, Kwak Yoongy, reportedly chose different colored underwear for each day in the final week of a major competition, believing certain colors would lead to victory. Red, widely seen as a symbol of good fortune and joy in East Asian cultures, is also favored by gamblers.

The Psychology Behind Superstitions

The prevalence of superstitions in sports is not merely about chance; it is deeply rooted in the psychological demands of competition. Experts suggest that these practices offer athletes a sense of control in an environment often characterized by uncertainty.

Read More: Johannes Klæbo Wins 9th Olympic Gold Medal, Sets New Record

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"The real value of all sports superstitions and rituals is the reinforcement of self-confidence and sense of control they provide to an athlete." (Report 8)

  • Sense of Control: In sports where precise execution and mental fortitude are paramount, superstitions can help athletes feel more in charge of their performance, even when external factors are beyond their influence.

  • Coping Mechanism: Facing the immense pressure of the Olympics, rituals can act as a comforting anchor, providing a predictable element amidst the chaos. This is akin to a philosophy of life, as one athlete noted, "I'm going to wear it even in competition… It means 'no problem,' or 'no worries.'"

  • Focus and Preparation: The elaborate nature of some rituals may also serve to enhance an athlete's focus and mental readiness. This can involve specific pre-game routines, such as being the first to enter the locker room 22 minutes before kickoff, or dietary habits, like eating only clam soup for multiple consecutive meals.

Diverse Expressions of Good Luck Charms

Superstitions and lucky charms manifest in a wide array of forms across different sports and cultures, reflecting a shared human desire to influence destiny.

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  • Clothing and Personal Items:

  • From a simple undershirt to specific socks or underwear, athletes often have "lucky" garments they insist on wearing.

  • The origin of these items can vary; one athlete wore a necklace with the Swahili word "hakuna" for "no worries."

  • Food and Drink Rituals:

  • Specific food or drink consumption before a competition is another common practice. An example cited is a player who drank half a bottle of a beverage before a match and the other half at halftime.

  • Historical anecdotes include extreme dietary habits, such as eating only clam soup for days leading up to an event.

  • Actions and Environment:

  • Beyond physical objects, certain actions or arrangements are considered lucky. This can include anything from a specific grooming habit to the way an athlete prepares their environment.

  • The belief in controlling luck is ancient, with humans seeking to understand or manage what they cannot control across civilizations.

Broader Cultural and Psychological Implications

The embrace of superstitions by Olympic athletes reflects a larger human tendency to seek order and predictability in the face of the unknown. This phenomenon is not exclusive to sports and can be observed in various aspects of life, including games of chance.

Read More: Klæbo Ties Winter Olympics Gold Medal Record

  • Cultural Significance: In many cultures, specific colors and symbols are deeply associated with luck and prosperity. The widespread use of red in East Asian gambling contexts, for example, demonstrates the cultural embedding of these beliefs.

  • The Line Between Ritual and Obsession: While superstitions can bolster confidence, there is a recognition that an over-reliance on them can be detrimental. As one source notes, "I know it's not good to cling to this kind of thing for competitors."

  • Performance Enhancement vs. Delusion: The critical distinction lies in whether these rituals enhance an athlete's psychological state, leading to improved focus and confidence, or become a crutch that hinders adaptability. The psychology of sport acknowledges the role of these practices in fostering a sense of self-efficacy.

Conclusion and Future Observations

The widespread use of superstitions and lucky charms among Olympic athletes highlights the complex interplay between psychological preparation, cultural influences, and the pursuit of athletic excellence. These practices, while seemingly irrational, offer a tangible sense of control and confidence to athletes facing immense pressure. The investigation into these rituals reveals a common human behavior that transcends sport, demonstrating a persistent desire to influence outcomes when certainty is elusive. Future observation may continue to reveal the evolving manifestations of these deeply ingrained practices within the high-stakes arena of international competition.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why do athletes use lucky charms?
Athletes use lucky charms and routines to feel more in control and confident, especially when facing pressure.
Q: What kind of lucky items do athletes use?
They might use special jewelry, clothes like lucky socks or underwear, or even give names to their sports equipment.
Q: Are superstitions helpful for athletes?
Yes, experts say these practices can help athletes feel more confident and focused, which can help their performance.
Q: Do athletes believe these charms actually change the outcome?
It's less about changing the outcome and more about managing their feelings, like reducing worry and increasing self-belief.
Q: Are these superstitions common?
Yes, many athletes across different sports use these personal rituals as part of their preparation for big events.