The Olympics Without Fans is Harming Athletes Performance | Scientific American | 11/20/21

Source: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-olympics-without-fans-is-harming-athletes-performance1/

Summary:

Without fans at the sporting events their vibe is different and affects the athletes’ mindset in a negative way. Athletes try to practice in environments that are as realistic as possible and practicing with fake cheering and fake fans to play without any fans at all messes up the mentality and introduces new variables into the game.

3 Fun Facts:

1. Without the cheering of fans athletes can hear things they usually can’t and it can get into their heads. (e.g. small talk by referees, etc.)

2. Athletes visualize in order to perform better. They often will work with sports psychologists to practice visualizing in the most realistic environments with fake cheers in the background.

3. Without fans at the events home court advantage is greatly diminished.