Olympic Athletes Share Favorite Music on Spotify

July 24th, 2024

Ahead of high-stakes competitions, elite athletes from the Olympic and Paralympic games have divulged their go-to songs that energize and focus them. The selected tracks span various musical styles and time periods, such as classics from The O’Jays, rock tunes from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and beats from modern artists like Drake. For instance, 26-year-old sprinter and hurdler Rai Benjamin prepares for races by listening to an array of artists like Drake and G Herbo, as well as stirring film scores. The mixture of adrenaline-boosting and calming melodies helps him mentally balance before he takes on the track's hurdles. Similarly, taekwondo athlete Rebecca McGowan finds inspiration in Panic! At The Disco's "High Hopes" to maintain resilience during training. The energetic "Can't Stop" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers serves as her entrance theme, marking her readiness to compete. B-Girl Logan Edra, distinguishing herself in the breakdancing scene, taps into her roots with Malcolm McLaren’s "World's Famous," dating from the genre's formative years. The song is a homage to the dance's history and connects her to past generations. British Silver medalist Bradly Sinden walks out to Kanye West's "Stronger"—a track that signals his readiness to fight—drawn from its association with a memorable movie scene. Veronica Fraley, a discus thrower, opts for energizing rap music like Future's "March Madness" to summon her most powerful performance. Two-time Olympian Fernando Dayán Jorge finds synergy with the song "Legendary" by Welshly Arms, fitting with his athletic spirit. Meanwhile, Paralympian gold medalist McKenzie Coan amps up with Britney Spears' hits, and high jumper Rachel Glenn becomes the "ultimate hype girl" with various upbeat tracks. Diverging from the norm, Paralympian sprinter Jaydin Blackwell gathers strength from motivational speeches rather than music, while hurdler Daniel Roberts enjoys the good energy of old-school R&B, namely The O’Jays. Conversely, Cordell Tinch's musical mood might fluctuate, yet DJ Khaled's "God Did" has the potency to set his warmup rhythm. These powerful musical preferences are more than just songs—they are vital components of the athletes' mental and emotional preparation, each one uniquely contributing to their journey of excellence in sport.

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💭 Discussion Questions

. How do athletes use music as a tool for psychological preparation in high-stake competitions?

. Can you identify the diverse musical tastes among the elite athletes mentioned in the article, and how does this reflect their individual personalities or backgrounds?

. Discuss the potential impact of motivational speeches versus music on an athlete's performance, referencing Jaydin Blackwell's preference.

📖 Vocabulary

🌐 Cultural context

The article is from a culture where music is integral to personal expression and is often used by athletes as a means of psychological preparation for competition in Olympic and Paralympic events.

🧠 Further reading

Sport psychology

Sport psychology is a complex area of study focusing on the psychological dynamics that influence athletic performance and the impact of physical activities on psychological well-being. Established in 1996 by the European Federation of Sport Psychology (FEPSAC), it is recognized as a field that integrates knowledge from various disciplines including biomechanics, physiology, kinesiology, and psychology itself. This field doesn't exclusively cater to professional athletes. In fact, sport psychologists are also dedicated to assisting non-athletes and routine exercisers in seeking enjoyment in sports and remaining committed to an exercise regimen. They employ cognitive and behavioral methods to help improve athletic performance and general sports experiences, as well as deal with other aspects such as injury recovery, effective communication, team dynamics, and navigating career changes. Historically, the foundation of sport psychology was laid down by physical education instructors rather than researchers, which resulted in its somewhat irregular development. Various psychological aspects of physical activity were examined and laboratories for sport psychology studies emerged. The inaugural sport psychology laboratory was established in Berlin by Dr. Carl Diem in the early 1920s, marking the initial steps of the discipline in Europe. At around the same time, the Deutsche Hochschule für Leibesübungen, or College of Physical Education, was founded by Robert Werner Schulte, setting grounds for more formal study and training in the field. This institution conducted assessments on physical prowess and general suitability for sports, further exploring the intricate connection between the body and mind in athletic contexts.

Re'im music festival massacre

On October 7, 2023, the region near the Israel-Gaza border suffered a tragic and shocking assault when Hamas militants launched an unexpected attack, resulting in the deaths of 364 civilians with numerous others injured. The violence took place during a significant Jewish holiday at an open-air music event known as the Supernova Sukkot Gathering, located close to the Gaza barrier. The attack began at dawn with the firing of rockets, followed by an alarm signaling an imminent threat around 7 am. People attending the festival scrambled to safety as the militants encircled the area, attacking recklessly with gunfire as the crowd tried to flee. Many tried to find cover in bomb shelters or natural camouflage but were pursued and killed. The roads, cluttered with vehicles, became sites of horror as militants targeted escaping festivalgoers. In some instances, attackers executed individuals who were already injured and unarmed. The precise situation regarding the hostages taken by the militants remains undisclosed to the public. This brutal event is recorded as the deadliest terror attack in Israel, claiming the largest number of lives in a civilian massacre to date. The Supernova Sukkot Gathering was part of a worldwide music festival celebration, originally established in Brazil. The event in Israel had begun the day before the attack and was produced by an organization known as Nova (or Tribe of Nova). Set in the western Negev desert, the festival's location was just a short distance from the contentious boundary between Gaza and Israel.

Hip hop (culture)

Hip hop is a dynamic cultural and artistic movement that originated among African Americans in the Bronx, New York City. It has its roots deeply embedded in the street culture of Black Americans, and eventually, it expanded to incorporate Latino Americans and Caribbean Americans. The culture is predominantly influenced by African American males, but female artists have also left a significant mark. The movement is recognized for its principal components, which include rapping, DJing, turntablism, and breakdancing. Other facets such as graffiti, beatboxing, street entrepreneurship, the unique language of hip hop, and its distinctive fashion complete the vivid tapestry of hip-hop culture. This rich culture has birthed a genre of music known as hip hop music, blossoming into widespread popularity. The historical inception of hip hop dates back to August 1973, during a party conducted by DJ Kool Herc and his sister Cindy Campbell, which ignited the genre. Now, hip hop's reach goes beyond the urban roots, touching urban and suburban communities nationwide and around the globe. As it spread, the core elements evolved, adopting various local influences but remaining cohesive through the foundational components that include the expressivity of theater and film within the genre. Hip hop represents both innovation and homage; it revitalizes classic recordings, beats, and basslines through a technique known as "sampling" or "flipping." This practice involves repurposing vintage sounds and ideas to resonate with contemporary audiences. Hip hop artists create new works that reflect earlier traditions in African-American and Latino music genres, like blues, and introduce them to new generations, maintaining the genre's freshness and relevance.