Olympic champion Jade Jones: Anxiety affected Tokyo performance

 Double Olympic Taekwondo Champion Jade Jones Opens Up About Tokyo Setback and Plans for Paris 2024

Jade Jones, the renowned double Olympic taekwondo champion, has recently shared her struggles with anxiety during the pandemic and the challenges she faced at the Tokyo 2020 Games. The Welsh athlete, who had her sights set on securing an unprecedented third Olympic gold medal, experienced a setback when she was defeated in her opening match by Kimia Alizadeh of the Refugee Olympic Team.

In an interview with BBC Sport Wales, Jones reflected on the profound impact the COVID-19 lockdown had on her mental health. “I didn’t realize how much lockdown affected me,” she admitted. The enforced isolation and uncertainty of the pandemic led to a significant increase in her anxiety levels, an emotional struggle she had never encountered before.

Jones described her anxiety as overwhelming. “I was petrified to go near my family, fearing that I might unknowingly pass on the virus,” she explained. This fear was compounded by her tendency to overthink situations, creating a cycle of stress that proved difficult to escape. The lockdown not only placed a strain on her mental well-being but also intensified the pressure she placed on herself to perform well at the Olympics.

The Tokyo Games, held in a largely empty stadium due to COVID-19 restrictions, presented a unique set of challenges for Jones. “It didn’t even feel like an Olympics,” she said. The absence of the usual support from her family and fans, who would typically offer encouragement and motivation, contributed to her struggle to mentally engage with the competition. In taekwondo, where every second counts and one mistake can end a match, this mental disconnect proved costly.

Despite the heartache of the Tokyo Games, Jones remains hopeful and determined about her future in the sport. She is setting her sights on the Paris 2024 Olympics, where she aims to add a third gold medal to her collection. Her optimism is reflected in her recent success; Jones made a triumphant return to competition by winning gold at the President’s Cup in February, her first tournament since Tokyo.