Lindsey Vonn is known as one of the USAs greatest Olympic athletes. Even though it was the Winter Olympics that was her beat, shes equally as excited about the return of the Summer Olympics, especially after a year postponement, thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Olympics are a special moment, Vonn says of her time with Team USA in four Olympiad, from 2002 to 2018. Vonn, who also medaled three times and won gold in downhill skiing at Vancouver in 2010, called the opening ceremony, a deep and moving experience, thats just unlike anything else.

Vonn, 36, retired from competitive skiing in 2019, and finished her career as the most successful women skier of all time, with a record 20 World Cup titles to her name and 82 victories overall.

But one thing that many USA fans may not know about Vonn is that she is a huge proponent of mental health.

In the run-up to the Summer Games in Tokyo, Vonn has partnered with Olympic TOP Partner and insurance provider Allianz, as a global ambassador to help shine a spotlight on the importance of mental health. Allianz announced on Olympic Day, June 23, the Allianz Support Dog Squad program. The effort was launched to provide what it calls an extra boost of emotional support to Olympic-bound, world-class athletes. Vonn chimed in on the program. Ive always been, on a personal basis, a huge supporter of mental health and a dog lover too. Vonn has two rescue dogs as well as a King Charles Spaniel named Lucy.

Theres definitely a difference you feel as an athlete when dogs are present. They have a special ability to help you alleviate anxiety and the big pressure that comes with such a huge event.

Vonn adds that athletes heading into their first Olympics often experience a much higher level of anxiety just from competing on the worlds biggest stage. The four-time Olympian also says that one big component of her success came from that fact that she had her best friend in tow. Specifically, Lucy accompanied Vonn to a number of ski competitions during the last few years of her career.

Lucy was there for me in the Olympics in 2018, so I know first had the difference that dogs can make from a mental health perspective.

A week ago I spoke with Vonn by phone, and she talked about the large footprint of the Olympic Games, and its importance to athletes. She also had a lot to say about mental health and how it figures into an athletes ability to compete at the highest level.

Andy Frye: The Summer Olympics are back again. What kind of preparation did you undertake when you were gearing up to compete in the Winter Games?

Lindsey Vonn: My prep was much the same as anything (else), but the difference is with the Olympic is the pressure. That pressure the biggest part of competing for a medal. And to prepare for that, I always thought the best prep for the Olympics was my practice and competition in and for the (skiing) World Championships.

So much of being on point for the particular moment is about being present and not letting your mind get away from you. If youre not present in that moment, you may miss an opportunity youve be working for your whole life.

For me, I worked through it, but it wasnt always the easiest part to deal with. I didnt have a sports psychologist, I just figured out how to control my mental state by trial and error. Now there are more resources for athletes to learn how to deal with that pressure.

AF: Recently we saw Naomi Osaka make the choice to pull out of the French Open. Much of the reaction seemed to be supportive of her. Are we in a different place now with regard to mental health, athletes and sports?

Vonn: I think we are a lot farther along in the process of making mental health more a topic that can be talked about. It definitely was not a topic anyone spoke about when I was competing in the Gameseven with my familylet alone publicly, even just as recent ago as 2012. So, I think this process of change is will give athletes a lot more resources and support. I think mental health a has been widely overlooked.

I think that what Naomi has done is shine a huge global light on issues of mental health and support, and toward normalizing it. And I hope every athlete can seek out support and not feel ashamed.

AF: Youre arguably one of the best skiers of all time, but you had role models as a young skier. Who inspired you as a young athlete?

Vonn: Picabo Street was really my idol growing up. Skiing at that time was not usually on TV except for the Olympics, and I just got lucky that she came to my small town in Minnesota. I got an autograph form her, and thats really what led me to want to be an Olympian.

Besides Picabo, there are people like Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras, Roger Federer and Monica Seles, who were always inspirational for me to watch as athletes. My dad always loved to watch tennis on the weekends, and I love the sport and also watching athletes at their best.

AF: Youve won World Championships and medals galore. But in your words, what makes the Olympics so special for athletes?

Vonn: The Olympics are special for so many reasons. Just like in the World Championships, you are also representing your country. But I felt a certain level of patriotism when I was standing with my teammatesUSA teammates from all different sports. Being there, being part of the opening ceremonies, for any athlete, is very moving.

And then to know that so many Americans are watching, behind you, and supporting you, that makes it such an inspiring thing to be a part of.

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Read Fryes interview with Olympian tennis star Andy Murray here.