It’s not surprising that athletes need to eat a lot of calories to fuel and replenish their bodies. However, it is a big surprise to learn that there is a shortage of food at the Olympic Games currently taking place in Paris. According to multiple sources, including athletes themselves, the food courts at the 2024 Olympic Village are swarmed with people, which means long lines and, evidently, a shortage of food.
According to reports from the BBC as well as French publication L’Équipe, athletes are saying there isn’t enough food available in the food courts, specifically when it comes to eggs and meats. On Wednesday, July 24, eggs were rationed. Grilled meats such as chicken were also in limited supply, and certain carbohydrates were low as well. The Telegraph even reported that raw meat was served to the athletes.
The official Olympic Village catering partner, Sodexo Live, said that the “volumes will be increased” after this oversight, and they hope it will satisfy the needs of the athletes. It is estimated that the Olympic Village will serve approximately 13 million meals during the Olympic and Paralympic games, feeding more than 15,000 international athletes from 208 territories and nations over two 15-day periods.
Despite the expected onslaught of crowds, athletes are even admitting that the lines are long and the areas are constantly busy with so many people shuffling through to get food. Some athletes say the food tastes good, albeit maybe not as seasoned as they like, while others are not so pleased at the quality of the food.
Protein products such as meat, milk, and eggs are all being sourced locally from France as part of the attempt to reduce the overall carbon footprint of the Paris Olympic Games. A third of the food served at the Olympic Village is also plant-based, and 20% is labeled as certified organic.