A landmark joint statement by BASEM, UK Sport, and the IOC Medical Commission has put athlete burnout at the centre of global sport for 2026, warning that athletes under 25 are experiencing “record levels” of physical and psychological overload.
The report cites packed competition cycles, reduced off-season windows, high travel demands, and constant digital scrutiny as key contributors.
Importantly, it urges governing bodies to adopt structural reforms:
- Guaranteed minimum rest windows
- Reduced back-to-back competition scheduling
- Greater mental-health provision
- Protections for early-career athletes transitioning into elite environments
Dr. Kate Jordan of BASEM said: "Burnout is no longer a fringe issue.
"We are now seeing physiological and emotional exhaustion at ages where athletes should be thriving. This is a critical turning point - one that requires systemic change, not individual blame."
IOC medical advisor Dr. Richard Budgett added: "We cannot continue treating recovery as discretionary.
"Physiological reset, mental decompression, and protected downtime must be built into the architecture of sport."
Athletes have echoed the urgency, including Simone Biles. "You can’t perform without joy, and you can’t have joy without recovery," she said.
"Athletes aren’t machines - and we shouldn’t have to break to be heard."
As major sports gear up for packed 2026 calendars, the pressure is now firmly on governing bodies to respond - and to redefine what sustainable high performance truly means.
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