Joe
As the Paris Olympics kick off, food supply issues have emerged as a significant concern in the Olympic Village.
Athletes and officials have reported inadequate food supplies and instances of uncooked meat.
Grilled chicken and eggs are particularly scarce, prompting some athletes to bring packed meals back to the Village for lunch and dinner, according to the Times of London. British athletes, avoiding the Village restaurants, have received an extra chef from the UK to ensure proper meals. Caterers are working to increase orders, especially for eggs and chicken, which officials intended to source locally from France.
Andy Anson, chief executive of the British Olympic Association, told the Times, “At the beginning of every Games, there are usually two or three issues, and transportation is always one. But the big one this time is the food in the Village, which is not adequate.”
In an effort to reduce the Games’ carbon footprint, Paris officials introduced more plant-based foods. However, this shift has not aligned with athletes’ dietary preferences, particularly for those competing. While there is a variety of cuisine to accommodate different tastes and an abundance of baguettes, vegan meals have not been well received.
A British athlete described the food situation as chaotic compared to the organized facilities in Tokyo.
The Village serves approximately 40,000 meals daily with 3,300 seats in the main restaurant. While some countries rely solely on Village-provided meals, Great Britain’s athletes are housed in a part of the Village near the River Seine, which features a separate restaurant and performance lounge.
