Competing in the Olympics is the ultimate dream for many athletes. The event is also a huge undertaking for host cities—Paris welcomes around 10,500 athletes who will compete for 329 medals this year.
But even before they officially began, the Games seemed to be lacking in some ways: The Olympic Village, where athletes will stay during the event, did not serve enough nutritious food.
Team GB, the group of athletes representing Great Britain at the Olympics, have decided to close the restaurants in the village for this reason.
“There wasn’t enough of certain foods: eggs, chicken, certain carbohydrates, and then the quality of the food, with raw meat being served to the athletes,” said Andy Anson, director of the British Olympic Association. Time“They have to improve it significantly in the next few days.”
Because of these issues, the team’s athletes ate at the performance lodge in Clichy, a suburb of Paris, with a special chef cooking for them away from the Olympic Village. The athletes also brought packed lunches, Anson said.
It takes a village—literally—to prepare 13 million meals and snacks for those attending the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Hailed as the “world’s largest catering event”, athletes are said to have access to a variety of cuisines and about 500 different recipes, contained in one “Quality Charter” that the Paris planning commission has put forward.
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The Paris 2024 committee’s goals include reducing waste and promoting seasonal produce, as well as “reducing animal protein” and offering more plant-based options.
Despite bringing in top chefs and offering more options, athletes coming to the village still don’t get “full” meals, Anson said.
Concerns about food quality and quantity ahead of the Games show the scale of the operational challenge. The village is designed to be minimalist, yet still ensure that all athletes’ needs are met. This year, for example, athletes’ beds will be supported by cardboard to make them more environmentally friendly. But things look different if you are surfers Participate in the Paris 2024 competition, who will stay in a floating village.
The famous US men’s basketball team stays in a more upscale accommodation in a village because security concerns and lifestyle preferences.
The Olympic Village has faced other challenges as well. Some teams have complained about a lack of of air conditioningwas scrapped to cut the event’s carbon footprint, but risks leaving athletes feeling uncomfortable during the peak summer months.
Individual teams have taken matters into their own hands by installing portable air conditioning systems to ensure athletes stay comfortable as they prepare for one of their most important sporting events.
The England team are among them, spending around £70,000 on air conditioning to help keep their athletes cool. Guard reported on Wednesday. The goal? To help athletes “develop” and bring them together to build a culture, said Team GB’s director of sports services, Mark England.
Sodexo Live, the catering management company for the Olympics, is increasing daily orders for its most popular dishes, including eggs and chicken, according to French newspaper L’Equipe.
Representatives of Team England and Paris 2024 organisers did not return immediately. Luckrequest for comment.
