Don't forget the human behind the athlete, Canadian Olympians urge

Athletes are under enormous pressure at the Olympics, competing under a spotlight that comes just once every four years.

This pressure can amplify the wins and moments of glory, but also can make failure feel particularly crushing.

Short-track speedskater Courtney Sarault didn't think she'd be able to return to the start line, two days after missing the bronze in the relay.

"I felt like it was a failure for my Olympics," she said. "Other people aren't saying that, but I'm really hard on myself.

The skater from New Brunswick said she didn't think she'd be able to come back and skate "with a good mindset and attitude," but she did, finishing 11th in Wednesday's 1,500 metres.

"The fact that I was able to overcome what I thought I couldn't overcome, I'm really proud of myself and that gives me the confidence and shows me how strong I really am," she said.

Sarault said she was grateful for the support she's received, especially from fellow athletes like Kim Boutin. Boutin was well-equipped to help her teammate, since she went through her own difficult moments four years ago at the Pyeongchang Olympics.

After Boutin was promoted to the podium after a South Korean skater was disqualified, she received a barrage of online hate and threats that would take her years to work through with the help of a psychologist who specializes in trauma.

"I think we're here to live a big event and make memories, but we can destroy ourselves in those things," Boutin said. "It's supposed to be fun, it's supposed to be something we want."

Sarault wasn't the only one to go through tough times in Beijing.

Canadian freestyle skier Olivia Asselin pulled out of the slopestyle event due to physical and mental exhaustion. Curler Rachel Homan was so