World number one Świątek donates prize money to mental health charities, IOC support project

Polish superstar Iga Świątek will donate her runners-up prize money from the Ostrava Open to mental health charities in Poland.

The world number one was defeated by Barbora Krejčíková in a thrilling encounter in the Ostrava Open final.

Krejčíková came back from one set down to beat Świątek 5-7, 7-6, 6-3, delighting the home crowd at the ČEZ Aréna in the Czech Republic.

Despite losing out on the WTA 500 title, Świątek made a touching move after the final.

Świątek revealed she would be donating her prize pot – $71,960 (£65,000) – to non-profit organisations in Poland which focus on mental health issues.

“I really wanted to play well here to have a big amount of money to donate … and I’m pretty happy that I could do that,” she said in her post-match press conference.

“I really want to spread awareness and let people know that they can use the help if they need it, or help others if they have resources. I’m pretty happy to use my position that way.”

Świątek first donated prize money to a mental health charity last year during Indian Wells.

Also as World Mental Health Day on 10 October 2022 highlights the importance of raising awareness of mental health issues and the need to look out for one another, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is continuing to expand its range of services developed to support athletes in managing their mental health by launching a new online course for athletes, focused on the importance of sleep and its impact on performance.

The course is available on Athlete365, the IOC’s platform that supports more than 130,000 elite athletes and entourage members on and off the field of play through a range of advice, services and tools, with a particular focus on well-being.

Athlete mental health is a key priority for the IOC. A survey conducted in 2022 among the Athlete365 community revealed that one-in-five elite athletes had suffered poor mental health in the past year. 

Each year, the IOC is adding new resources designed to help athletes manage their own mental health, while encouraging Olympic Movement stakeholders to develop initiatives that contribute to an elite sport environment that supports athlete well-being. 

Throughout October 2022, a dedicated campaign will explore four common mental health challenges among athletes – anxiety, depression, establishing mental health routines and transitioning out of sport – and their connection to sleep, with a new online course.

For athletes competing at the highest level of their sport, sleep is a priority for optimal recovery. The IOC recognises the need to support athletes and their entourage in knowing the signs of sleep-related problems and the impact these can have not just on an athlete’s performance, but also on their overall well-being. 

The new “Sleep to Compete” online course – which is available for free to all members of the Athlete365 community – is aimed at providing the participants with the necessary tools and strategies to improve their bedtime routine.

By completing the course, athletes and entourage members can gain a comprehensive understanding of the benefits of restorative sleep, plus the importance of adopting a holistic approach towards mental health. 

The course is not only informative, but also offers practical techniques and strategies that athletes can incorporate into their routines straightaway.

After they have completed it, athletes will continue to receive exclusive tips and advice to support positive sleep, delivered straight to their inbox.