The Paris Olympic Games 2024 is in full swing with athletes around the globe competing to bring laurels for their country. While talent and training are crucial, what athletes eat plays a massive role in their success. Nutrition is the cornerstone of Olympic success. It's often said that athletes are what they eat, and this is especially true for top-level competitors. So if you are wondering what athletes like Neeraj Chopra and Manu Bhaker eat, we've got you covered.
According to a 2023 study, athletes need to fuel their bodies with the right nutrients, including carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals, to meet their energy demands during competitions, training, and recovery. Proper nutrition helps prevent illness, injury, and disease while providing strength and supporting growth and performance development. Therefore, nutrition is crucial for enhancing an athlete’s performance.
Dining Options at the Olympic Village
The Olympic Village offers athletes 24-hour access to four dining areas serving global, French, Halal, and Asian cuisine. Each station will offer a wide range of choices including salad bars, grill stations, hot buffets, pasta, soups, dairy products, cheeses, fruits, pastries, and desserts. To accommodate diverse dietary needs, athletes received advanced menus and worked closely with the Olympic hospitality team.
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Menu Variety and Nutritional Focus
The Olympic Village dining hall will feature a diverse culinary experience with six distinct food stations: two French, two Asian, one Afro-Caribbean, and a global cuisine option. Additionally, convenient grab-and-go points will be available for athletes on the move.
A dedicated boulangerie near the village entrance will produce fresh baguettes daily. To share their expertise, the bakery will host interactive cooking workshops for athletes, teaching them the art of baguette making.
Focus On Vegetarian Food
The Olympic Village dining hall offers over 500 menu items, carefully curated to accommodate diverse dietary needs, including Halal, vegetarian, and vegan preferences. Of the 120 daily specials, nearly 60% will be vegetarian to minimise the Olympics' environmental impact. The menu boasts a global flavour, featuring French classics like vegetarian bourguignon and cod purée, Asian delights, such as minced pork with Thai basil rice and aloo gobi, African and Caribbean specialities like shakshouka and chermoula shrimp, and international fare, such as lamb with mint sauce and vegetable moussaka.
Most Olympic athletes base their diets on four essential elements: carbohydrates for peak energy, protein for muscle development and blood sugar balance, omega-3 fatty acids from sources like fish for heart health, and abundant fruits and vegetables for antioxidants and fibre.
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The food offered goes beyond aloo gobi and rajma, with Chef Akrame Benellal’s signature dish being ‘tandir’ chicken, a classic French take on tandoori chicken and pudina chutney. Additionally, the Asia restaurants feature dal, vegetable biryani, lamb korma, and chicken curries as well. The dining options also include a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, smoothies, and other drinks. The menu follows an eight-day rotation.
The meal plan for each athlete is unique. There is no generalised diet, even within the same sport. The nutritionist emphasises a personalised approach. Endurance athletes often require 60-65% of their calories from carbohydrates, while power athletes need a higher protein intake.
[Disclaimer: This article contains information for informational purposes only, hence, we advise you to consult your own professional if you are dealing with any health issues to avoid complications.]