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Competing in the Olympics at a young age can be an overwhelming experience for athletes, often leading to feelings of anxiety and loneliness. For instance, Katie Hoff represented the United States at just 15 during the 2004 Athens Games, where the immense pressure of expectations hit her hard. Instead of feeling the excitement typically associated with being an Olympian, she experienced feelings of insecurity and even bullying among teammates. This combination of stress and alienation hindered her ability to fully appreciate the significance of her accomplishment at a time when she was expected to thrive.