The ancient Greek gods are said to have feasted on ambrosia and nectar, but today’s Olympic diets look a little different. Athletes all over TikTok are sharing what they’re eating in the Olympic Village in Paris, and foods like chocolate muffins, pesto pasta, and shrimp dumplings are all on the menu. However, with an egg and meat shortage, some athletes still aren’t getting enough fuel. Read on for all the tea on the culinary controversy.
What are athletes eating?
Six different food restaurants make up the central dining area in the Olympic Village. According to The New York Times, two of those restaurants serve French cuisine, two are Asian-inspired, one is halal, and one is named “world.” The restaurants are responsible for serving around 40,000 meals a day.
The dining area includes an expansive salad bar, a selection of French cheeses, and an assortment of fresh croissants for breakfast. Athletes have dined on grilled tofu, fruit, and chicken gyoza.
“It’s pretty good. Like, it’s good food, it’s just…you could probably season it a little bit,” Filipino-American gymnast Aleah Finnegan said in a TikTok video.
Henrik Christiansen approved of the baked goods, rating the chocolate muffins an 11 out of 10. The Norwegian swimmer has posted several TikTok clips of himself enjoying the treat.
American volleyball player Erik Shoji also shared his food review, saying in a TikTok video that the chicken “tastes how you might expect it. Not terrible, not great.”
Each country’s delegation is allowed to bring their own food, and according to Shawn Hueglin, a senior sports dietitian on the United States Olympic Committee, Americans have mailed protein shakes, peanut butter, and popcorn to members of Team USA.
What’s up with the food shortage?
French newspaper L’Équipe reported that competitors said there weren’t enough eggs and grilled meats available for all athletes on July 24. There have also been reports of raw meat served in the Olympic Village.
The backlash has even prompted Team Great Britain to fly in their own chef from the United Kingdom to feed British athletes. Sodexo Live!, the company in charge of catering, said that volumes will be increased to satisfy the high demand for certain products.
It’s no secret that Olympians need access to proper nutrition to function at their best, and time will only tell whether the food situation improves. Until then, it’s unclear what the bigger competition is: the fight for the gold medal, or the scramble for the last muffin in the dining hall?