The 2021 Olympics will begin in less than a week and WNBA star Liz Cambage is the latest athlete to prioritize her mental health over the event.
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In a statement, the Las Vegas star player and member of the Australian Olympic Team vulnerably announced her decision. "Anyone that knows me knows that one of my biggest dreams is winning an Olympic gold medal with the Opals," she began. "Every athlete competing in the Olympic games should be at their mental and physical peak, and at the moment, I'm a long way from where I want and need to be."
In an April 2021 interview with Women's Health, Cambage opened about her journey with mental health. In 2018, she had "a full-on breakdown" which resulted in her missing out on two WNBA games. She expressed, "we’re all struggling with something, and it's normal."
Cambage admitted to being worried about going into the Olympic "bubble," due to recent panic attacks. She continued, "No family. No friends. No fans. No support system outside of my team. It's honestly terrifying for me [...] Relying on daily medication to control my anxiety is not the place I want to be right now."
She signed off with "love and light" and hopes her teammates take home the gold. Representative from the Australian Olympic Committee expressed, "Liz has made a great contribution to the Australian Olympic Team over two Olympic Games campaigns. We respect her decision and wish her the best in returning to full health."
Audacy's I’m Listening initiative aims to encourage those who are dealing with mental health issues to understand they are not alone. If you or anyone you know is struggling with depression or anxiety, know that someone is always there. Additionally, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-273-8255.