Arabic version: أستراليا تضم طبيباً نفسياً إلى فريقها في ألعاب غلاسكو

According to ABC News, Australia has taken an in-house psychiatrist to the Glasgow Commonwealth Games for the first time, with Adam Deacon providing clinical mental-health support within Team Australia’s headquarters.

Dr Deacon is part of a broader group of specialists working with Australia’s 255 athletes during 10 days of competition. The team’s headquarters includes services comparable to a pop-up sports medicine clinic, alongside massage therapists, physiotherapists, nutritionists and dietitians.

He said athletes can face everyday concerns as well as pressures linked to performance, perceived failure, injuries and illness. Some athletes seek his help directly, others are referred, and he may attend competitions to provide additional care.

The focus was evident after weightlifter Kiana Elliott finished fourth for a second consecutive Commonwealth Games. Competing in the 63kg division after moving up from lower weight categories, Elliott said the decision supported her mental health and was more sustainable than reducing her body fat further.

Elliott missed a 118kg clean and jerk attempt that could have secured bronze. She said she was proud to have chosen the difficult competitive option and said her story was not over. Other Australian weightlifters faced setbacks in Glasgow, including Chloe Perkins, who missed her 48kg weight, and Brenna Kean and Ridge Barredo, who suffered injuries on stage.