May 19, 2025 (Summer)
Language Barriers Among Athletes
Language barriers in sports never seem to be an issue on the national level. That is, until professional coaches and athletes are flown outside their countries to participate in events such as the Olympics. This can be an exciting time for both sides; however, it comes with downsides that often include having to coach and play with athletes who do not speak the same language. In this scenario, we have to wonder how our USA coaches and athletes overcome these language barriers between them and their international teammates during the Olympics.
The methods of communication between the United States and international players in the Olympics can vary greatly. Yes, there are always translators and interpreters at the ready for all countries participating in the Olympics, but there are also other methods available to them to help convey their messages to the players. One method coaches and athletes utilize are the universally recognized red and yellow cards. Coaches, specifically, may also come up with and utilize their own unique hand signals to communicate with players. In some cases, coaches may even go as far as to learn a bit of the language, such as basic phrases associated with their sport. Other methods for communication include pictograms, which are cards that depict nonverbal representations and/or instructions for what a coach may want his player to do.
Together, the knowledge and utilization of these tools, paired with the drive to succeed, are often what set the USA Olympic teams apart from any of the other international teams playing that year. That’s why Team USA has gone on to win 3,095 Olympic medals and been named the most prolific medal-winning nation in the history of the Olympic Games.
—Seth VanEss, Sports Editor
Photo by Anthony McKissic / Unsplash.