The second day of the XVI Olympic Forum – Romà Cuyàs Memorial focused on the psychological dimension of high-performance sport under the theme “Mind and Performance”, further consolidating the Forum as a key space for reflection on the present and future challenges of sport and Olympism.
The session began with a welcome address by Francesc Terrón, Director of the Barcelona Olympic Foundation, and was inaugurated by Alejandro Blanco, President of the Spanish Olympic Committee, who highlighted the importance of mental balance as a key factor in both athletic performance and the career development of athletes competing in major international events.
Among the attendees were members of the Board of Trustees of the Barcelona Olympic Foundation, including Juli Pernas, as well as members of the organizing committee of the XVI Olympic Forum – Romà Cuyàs Memorial: Santiago Deó, Martí Niubó and Jose Luís López del Amo. The event was also attended by several prominent figures from the sports and institutional fields, including Susana Closa, General Manager of the Barcelona Institute of Sports, former sports secretaries and other leading representatives of the sector.
Next, Mar Rovira, Head of the Mental Performance Department at RCD Espanyol de Barcelona, delivered a presentation focused on mental training for professional athletes, emphasizing the need to integrate psychological work into athletes’ daily preparation. Her talk addressed key aspects such as managing competitive pressure, emotional control and the development of mental strategies to perform at the highest level in demanding environments.
The day continued with the round table “Mental balance and sporting success: a necessary conversation”, moderated by Jose Luís López del Amo, and featuring Olympic athletes Ruth Beitia, Jennifer Pareja and Marta Pérez. The athletes shared first-hand experiences on preparing for major competitions, the importance of psychological strength throughout their careers, and the challenge of returning to “normal life” after moments that can define a sporting career.
The event was closed by David Escudé, President of the Barcelona Olympic Foundation and Sports Councillor of Barcelona City Council, who emphasized the role of major sporting events as drivers of social, economic and urban transformation. In his closing remarks, he stressed the importance of responsible and sustainable planning of such events, as well as the need to place people —athletes, citizens and organizations— at the heart of their legacy, beyond media impact or competitive success.
Both yesterday’s and today’s sessions can be watched on our YouTube Channel:
👉 Wednesday, January 14: Innovation and legacy of Olympism
👉Thursday 15 January: Lying and Performance
All photos from the event are available at the following drive:
📁 PHOTOS
📁 PHOTOS: Wednesday, January 14: Innovation and legacy of Olympism
