PARIS, Aug 6 (PA Media/dpa/EP) –
British swimmer Adam Peaty said Tuesday that athletes at the Paris 2024 Games found maggots in their food because of “not good enough” catering at the Olympic Village, while praising the “amazing” food in Tokyo.
“The catering is not good enough for the level expected of the athletes. We have to give our best,” the Briton said in statements to the daily i, published by dpa.
The six-time Olympic medallist complained about both the quantity and quality of food offered at the Paris Games, something that can impact athletes’ performance. “In Tokyo the food was amazing. In Rio it was amazing. But this time? There weren’t enough protein options, long queues, 30-minute waits to eat because there’s no queuing system,” he criticised.
As part of the Games’ sustainability pledges, organisers have set a goal of making 60% of all meals served meat-free and a third plant-based. “The idea of sustainability has been forced on athletes,” she added. “I want meat, I need meat to perform and that’s what I eat at home, so why would I change?”
“I like fish and people find worms in it. It’s not good enough. The standard, we’re looking at the best of the best in the world, and we’re not feeding them the best,” the athlete added.
However, a spokesperson for Paris 2024 told the same newspaper that they are “listening” to the athletes, who they take “very seriously”. “Since the opening of the Village, our partner Sodexo Live! has been working proactively to adapt supplies to the increasing use of the Village’s restaurants and the actual consumption of the athletes observed during the first days.
“As a result, the quantities of certain products have been significantly increased and additional staff has been deployed to ensure the smooth operation of the service,” the organisation concluded.