Satoko Miyahara: “I wanted so badly to skate perfectly at the Olympics that I nearly lost my ability to think clearly. I thought, ‘Is this what it means to battle the infamous Olympic demons?’ But there are no demons. The pressure we feel is something we create ourselves.”
Satoko Miyahara reflects on her career and the unique atmosphere of the Olympics.
original source: news.yahoo.co.jp dd. 13th January 2026
Four-time national champion and fourth-place finisher at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, Satoko Miyahara, shared her thoughts on her career and her experiences at the Olympics. Here’s a translation of her comments.
Miyahara reflected on how the Olympics differ starkly from other prestigious competitions like the World Championships or the Grand Prix Finals. “The Olympics is special. It’s a competition that takes place only once every four years, and athletes carry the weight of representing their country,” she remarked. “That responsibility comes with immense pressure.”
As someone who finished fourth at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics, Miyahara has first-hand experience with the unique challenges of the Games. She shared her struggles with anxiety and her efforts to overcome self-imposed pressure: “I wanted so badly to skate perfectly at the Olympics that I nearly lost my ability to think clearly. I thought, ‘Is this what it means to battle the infamous Olympic demons?’” However, when it came time to compete, Miyahara found a sense of joy and freedom. “When the moment finally came, I was overwhelmed with happiness. It felt like a dream to be skating on the Olympic stage. Honestly, there are no Olympic demons. The pressure we feel is something we create ourselves.”
Miyahara revealed that she often used visualization techniques to calm her mind and prepare for competitions. Before her performances, she would visualize every step, from hearing her name announced to the scores being revealed. “It helped me treat every competition the same way – same warm-up routine, same practice, same mindset. That’s what I want the skaters competing now to remember: trust in themselves and just let it flow.”
Reflecting on her own Olympic journey, Miyahara spoke about how the Games impacted her mindset and career. She also revisited her high school thesis, where she mused on the concept of the “Olympic demons.” “The ‘demons’ aren’t real, of course. It’s the pressure we create in our own minds that becomes this overwhelming force.” Nevertheless, Miyahara describes her Olympic experience as unforgettable: “Both my short program and free skate were thrilling – skated with joy.”
Related topics: Olympic Games, Satoko Miyahara
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