Four-time Olympic medalist in track cycling, Jens Lehmann, summed it up after the Olympic Games in Paris with a look at the medal table: "German competitive sport is clearly on a downward trend." Even before the start of the "FISU World University Games 2025" on July 16, also known as the University Olympics, the challenges faced by young top athletes are the focus of several discussions. While some experts are calling for an intensified talent search and more and better-trained coaches, sports psychologist Dr. Barbara Halberschmidt is convinced that financial difficulties in particular often prevent a better outcome. But psychological factors also have an influence on athletic performance, Barbara Halberschmidt emphasizes. Although the proportion of top athletes suffering from depression, at around nine percent, is similar to that of the general population, mental health is just as important for optimal performance as physical fitness. "The topic must be broken down," the scientist demands.

The link to the episode of the podcast "Umdenken – the podcast of the University of Münster" can be found here.