Elite athletes are required to spend several years in preparing themselves for world-caliber international sporting events such as the Olympic Games. This preparation is comprised of physical, technical, tactical - and psychological - training. The purpose of this paper is to describe the four-year psychological preparation program given to Israeli elite athletes whose goal is to participate in the 2008 Olympic Games. The paper provides the general psychological framework used in each of the four years of preparation. The objectives of the three psychological programs used during the psychological preparation - the Five-Step Approach, Specific Psychological Training Program, and Response Training Program - are described. Specific examples of the use of the psychological program in judo and rhythmic gymnastics are given. Two practical tips are suggested for sport psychologists who engage in multi-year preparation of elite athletes for the Olympic Games.
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