Elite Athletes Embrace Gaming for Relaxation and Focus — image accompanying Athletics Weekly's report. Image accompanying Athletics Weekly’s report; reduced and presented for news commentary with the attributed report. View the complete source report.
Athletics Weekly reports that elite athletes use gaming to unwind and stay sharp. Gout Gout and Noah Lyles are among those who enjoy gaming. Lionel Spitz prefers FIFA, while Freddie Crittenden loves Elden Ring.
Lionel Spitz, a Swiss 400m runner, enjoys FIFA. Many athletes, including Noah Lyles, invest in gaming setups. Gout Gout and Freddie Crittenden also play Zelda, Minecraft, and Elden Ring, respectively. Read more culture coverage.
Superstitions are common among athletes. Ja’Kobe Tharp eats McDonald's before races. Cristiano Ronaldo and John Terry have unique rituals. Gaming is now part of many athletes' routines and rituals. Related: Embrace Bad Running Days for Improvement.
This original Runner World brief is based on reporting from Athletics Weekly. Visit the source for its complete reporting, context and any later corrections.
Reader questions
Questions about this report
What should runners know about Elite Athletes Embrace Gaming for Relaxation and Focus?
Many top athletes use video games to unwind and stay sharp, integrating them into their routines. Athletics Weekly reports that elite athletes use gaming to unwind and stay sharp. Gout Gout and Noah Lyles are among those who enjoy gaming. Lionel Spitz prefers FIFA, while Freddie Crittenden loves Elden Ring.
When did Runner World publish this culture brief?
Runner World published this brief on October 19, 2026. The underlying Athletics Weekly report was dated October 17, 2026.
Where can readers find the complete original report?
This summary is based on reporting from Athletics Weekly. The attributed source link in the article leads to the publisher’s complete report.
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