ADHD in Elite Sports: Beyond the Superpower Narrative
Inspirational stories of athletes with ADHD, such as Olympic champion Adam Peaty and rugby star Ellie Kildunne, have popularized the idea of the condition as a "superpower" in sports. However, researchers caution that this framing can be misleading and invalidating for many who struggle with the daily realities of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
The Dual Nature of ADHD in Athletic Performance
Kirsty Brown, a researcher at the University of Birmingham studying neurodivergent athletes, emphasizes the complexity of ADHD's impact. "There's not a huge amount of research yet," Brown notes. "We have some case studies but in terms of data, we're not there." For Brown, who has ADHD herself, the challenges extend beyond competition. "If I could just transport myself straight to the first tee, that would be amazing," she says of her golfing experiences. "But getting there on time, remembering all my kit, making sure I've eaten before I play – all those aspects are more challenging than competing itself."
Recent high-profile examples illustrate this duality. Adam Peaty, the three-time Olympic swimming champion, has credited ADHD for his "relentless drive" while acknowledging its role in self-destructive impulses. His recent comeback at the British Swimming Championships, where he won the 100m breaststroke with the world's second-best time this year, followed a complete break from the sport in 2023 for mental health reasons.
The Superpower Perspective and Its Limitations
Ellie Kildunne, England's Rugby World Cup-winning full-back, has described her ADHD diagnosis as transformative. In her book Game Changer, she celebrates how understanding her condition has helped her embrace her natural wiring for chaos. The concept of "hyperfocus" – the ability to become completely absorbed in training or competition – is often cited as an athletic advantage. Notable athletes like Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, and Noah Lyles, the current fastest man in the world, have demonstrated this capacity.
A 2019 study in the British Medical Journal suggested ADHD might be overrepresented in elite sports, with about 8% of Major League Baseball players and college athletes having the condition compared to 5% of all US adults. The study concluded that "the symptoms and characteristics of ADHD play a role in athletes' choice of a sport career and further achieving elite status."
The Hidden Struggles and Systemic Challenges
Despite these success stories, ADHD often presents significant obstacles. Dr. Kasia Kostyrka-Allchorne, a developmental psychologist, points to a paradox: possible overrepresentation of ADHD in elite sport alongside underrepresentation in recreational participation. "It can give people that drive and hyperfocus," she explains. "But it's also about having the right environment, which is something Adam Peaty talked about, how his coach would take him to sessions."
Neurodivergence can make traditional coaching structures difficult to navigate. Cricketer Benny Howell, who has built a career in Twenty20 franchise leagues, faced "constant pushback" and ridicule for his creative approaches that didn't fit conventional playing roles. The sensitivity to perceived rejection common in ADHD can make hierarchical, cliquey environments like dressing rooms particularly challenging.
Brown describes how her quick information processing affects her golf game, making her appear less concentrated as she moves rapidly without methodical routines. "It does look like I'm not concentrating," she admits, noting that masking behaviors – such as copying social cues to fit in – are especially common in women with ADHD. She now adopts deliberate postures on the green "because it makes me look like I'm trying harder."
Toward Better Understanding and Support
Experts appreciate that high-profile athletes provide aspirational role models but note they often only feel comfortable discussing ADHD after reaching the top. A mainstream superpower narrative can invalidate those struggling with their differences. "It's like, 'You don't know how much effort it took me to get out the door,'" says Brown. "We know there's a massive link between neurodiversity and mental illness, so we want to be making sports safer rather than exacerbating that risk."
The breadth of ADHD experiences was evident at this year's Winter Olympics, where US skaters Alysa Liu and Amber Glenn described contrasting effects – Liu found it helped her think on her feet, while Glenn battled impulsive thoughts before competing. This variability underscores the need for better understanding across sports communities.
"People want to know how prevalent ADHD is in athletes, but that's not really the point," Brown concludes. "The main question for me is, how do we support them?" As research continues to evolve, the conversation must balance celebration of neurodiverse achievements with acknowledgment of the real challenges athletes face both on and off the field.
