What makes elite athletes thrive or dive under pressure?

[dexter]

Psychology is an increasingly important part of elite sport. Winning at the highest levels can depend as much on peak-fitness of the mind as the body.
For top-level sports people it's not just skill and athleticism they count. So often, it's mind over matter. Psychology is now seen as increasingly vital to winning. In elite sport the difference between success and failure is often the finest of margins.

 

[nahtanbob]

Psychology is an increasingly important part of elite sport. Winning at the highest levels can depend as much on peak-fitness of the mind as the body.
For top-level sports people it's not just skill and athleticism they count. So often, it's mind over matter. Psychology is now seen as increasingly vital to winning. In elite sport the difference between success and failure is often the finest of margins.

it is as much mental as much it is physical

 

[Unite & Defend]

Genetics, mental strength, work rate and opportunity.
I remember a mate of mine from my school days; he could sprint a 100meters in 10 flat. Unfortunately, he had no opportunity. Now he's fat.

 

[Thəorətic Muslim]

This is ten percent luck, twenty percent skill,
Fifteen percent concentrated power of will,
Five percent pleasure, fifty percent pain,
And a hundred percent reason to remember the name.

 

[Azadkashmir]

fastest runner in my primary and secondary school was a pakistani.