"I spoke with Laura today," says Marino Rosti. "Eating disorders are a topic that falls within my expertise. But this is... bad stuff. The first thing they say is: 'I don't have any problems.'"
Laura Martinelli said it clearlyThose who notice that a rider might have an eating disorder are those who have the most physical contact: the trainer and the sports director. Marino Rosti is neither, but during his years at Liquigas and then at the team Bahrain-McLaren, was the one who, in harmony with the trainer Slongo, he took care of the free body gymnastics and stretching sessions. Also having a master's degree in Sports Psychology, he often found himself notice unusual behaviors on the part of some of its athletesBut we can't focus everything on them, as is instead convenient in these cases.
«It all comes down to exasperation – he says – from the pursuit of the best and the need to always project the image of an athlete who is in top form. It happens in all sports, and as in all sports, nutrition is crucial. If you don't eat right, you won't progress. You need to find the right people, the nutritionist capable of guiding you. And don't let that, especially young people, go on the internet and do things the wrong way. Especially because, not getting results commensurate with the sacrifices, what do they do? They continue with the deprivation. And then you realize that even a simple ice cream becomes the forbidden fruit. Look at the riders who take a step back in front of the ice cream…».
Cycling literature is full of sports directors asking ice cream vendors to notify them of the arrival of the riders.
Of course, because at a certain point they do it in secret and immediately afterwards they feel guiltyBut I assure you it's an unsustainable regime, after a while you'll blow up.
How common is this problem in teams?
I have known many who they ate and then put their finger down their throat. Only when the samples are followed does the problem arise. especially young people and those who are looking for a dimensionImage matters, just like with models. Some are naturally thin, others don't eat. A rider must be incredibly thin. Arms like breadsticks and legs like Superman.
Secondo Davide Cimolai The topic is much discussed among riders, how does the team staff feel about it?
There's a lot of talk about it, just as there's a lot of talk about the need to have your weight in order, but in the wrong way. The words spoken under one breath, the jokes, the constant saying that they are bigThis hammering has an effect on a weak subject. So it comes to deprivation and in no time it becomes a diseaseEating disorders don't happen by chance. I've known them. A significant portion of people feel uncomfortable about these issues. Some overcome it. I've known strong riders who didn't care.
The words spoken under one breath, the jokes…
Telling someone they have to be thin is harmful, if anything tell him he has to be strongIt's like when you start a climb and they tell the rider, "Don't drop." What do you put in his head? That he's bound to drop, that you don't believe it. So tell him, "Stay in front and control," and he'll definitely get better. And if you think he needs to lose weight, since we're talking about top-level professionals, put an expert next to them, don't ask him to do it himself. Hammering doesn't work, especially because once the athlete was stronger from a character point of view, Today young people are on average more fragile and consequently at risk in situations that can become pathological and become the responsibility of a doctor, often a psychiatrist.
Team Ineos has one on its roster.
Not just anyone, it's Steve Peters, the author of the "Chimpanzee Paradox". His thesis is that in each of us, the human and the chimpanzee coexist and the daily effort must be to keep instinct at bay, always maintaining self-controlIs appetite one of the instincts we need to control? When we went to Teide, right from the start, they were always minding their own business, not saying hello, looking down, and you couldn't hear them at the table. So much so that we almost purposely greeted them, hugged them, to see how far along they were. Now it seems that they too are changing a little..
How do you know if an athlete has an eating disorder?
They have a thousand obsessions, they become almost maniacal. Sensitive to details. These are the first signs of discomfort, if you have a keen eye, you can spot it. At the table, first they eat and then they go to the bathroom. Have always an apple in handThey look around. They often stroke the leg, checking to see if the vein is visible. They skip fuel while running, because the energy bar is enough for them. The body manifests what you have inside.
How do they help each other?
With someone inside to help them, or by looking outside for a point of reference. They too realize they're not right, but they are not always able to react rationally.
