Athletes critique Paris Olympic dining standards amid competition

This year’s Olympic Games participants were expecting culinary delights at the catering points. It is hardly surprising—Paris is regarded as the capital of chefs and exquisite cuisine. It is all the worse to hear reports that the Paris Olympic Games provide poor and scant food.

Millions of people sit in the stands and in front of their televisions every four years. Although they are divided by religion, skin colour or political views, they are united by sports patriotism, which comes to life during the Olympic games. For many athletes, the Olympics are the ultimate test of their skills, and the medal is the most important award in their entire career. Most of them spend hundreds of hours training, receiving massages, and following diets to reach peak form and snatch one of the three metal discs. Every four years, the organizers of the Olympics go to great lengths to meet all the demands of sporting stars. Sometimes, however, it turns out that efforts are not enough.

The organizers of the Olympic Games in Paris highly praised the food served to athletes. They assured that 80 percent of the meals are French products, and 30 percent of the food is organic. One-quarter of the food is sourced from less than 260 kilometres away. Additionally, 33 percent of hot dishes are made from plant-based products. However, the promises do not match the athletes' opinions. The newspaper "Le Figaro" interviewed representatives of different sports. They all pointed to one significant issue: the quality and quantity of the food.

Honduran swimmer Julio Horrego, who consumes about 5,000 calories daily, said: "The only issue would be the food shortages; it's a bit surprising." He pointed out the lack of eggs in the breakfast menu. American gymnast Simone Biles added: "I don't think we're having proper French cuisine in the village."

Problems with the menu served by the catering forced British athletes to ask for the help of the team’s chef. The chef flew to the base in Clichy, where he ensured that athletes had access to eggs and properly cooked chicken, which the British representatives had previously complained about.

The catering company handling the Olympic Games assured the newspaper Le Figaro that it has replenished shortages, that "all products are available in sufficient quantities," and that it is "in constant contact with the delegations."