Olympians have posted a lot about the accommodations in France, and they’re less than pleased. But the food has been the most surprising part, particularly because of this country’s culinary reputation.
As the Paris Olympic Games unfold, athletes are taking to social media to share their experiences, and some of their videos have gone viral online, but not for a good reason. Online fans are shocked about the food, especially about something disgusting revealed by a Team Great Britain athlete. Let’s discover what’s going on!
Athletes from the around the world start to arrive in the Olympic Village as residences of delegations are adorned with national flags in Paris, France on July 23, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Many Are Leaving the Village
While trying to be green sounds like a great idea, Paris is facing some challenges because of that choice. Many top athletes are fed up with the facilities in the Games Village, and this has led to a mini exodus.
Screenshot of an Olympic Village building for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games | Source: Youtube/Firstpost
Some are ditching the official accommodations for luxury hotels. One of the biggest problems has been the cardboard beds. American tennis player Emma Navarro finds them too uncomfortable for a good night’s sleep.
Similarly, India’s Olympic champion Manu Bhaker joked about the bed size and added, “I have a very small bed… I’ll probably fall off the bed, so no, I would not take that risk.”
Screenshot of an Olympic Village room for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games | Source: Youtube/Firstpost
Even gymnastics star Simone Biles is struggling with the rough cardboard bed bases. Several clever athletes, like US gymnast Fred Richard, planned and had mattresses delivered before the games. However, this is only one of the issues.
The rooms are also too hot. Instead of air conditioners, Paris installed geothermal cooling systems to stay green. As a result, some countries like the United States, sent their athletes their own portable AC units.
A general view of the bedrooms inside the Australian Athletes’ Village ahead of the Paris Olympic Games on July 23, 2024 in Paris, France | Source: Getty Images
Meanwhile, Coco Gauff, the US tennis prodigy, shared her dismay at the logistics where ten athletes have to share only two bathrooms. Most of her teammates have left because of it. However, she’s giving the village a second chance, after following the steps of other athletes.
She expressed her excitement at encountering so many remarkable Olympians in the village, including Rafael Nadal, who inspired her to stay. Gauff also remarked that if “he could do it, so could she.”
Trying to maintain a green environment is a noble approach, but it clearly comes at a cost for the people participating in the event. Furthermore, it’s not just about beds and heat; the biggest issue at the Olympic Village is the food.
The Shocking Culinary Problem
The dining hall in Paris is simply not living up to the expected standards, not only because athletes can compare the food to previous Olympics, but also because France is lauded for its excellent cuisine. The main problem seems to be the decision to opt for greener menus.
People enjoy food at a restaurant in the Olympic Village during the media open day on July 23, 2024 in Paris, France | Source: Getty Images
Sodexo Live, a French company, is in charge of the catering services for the Games. Their representatives said they’ve adjusted supplies based on athlete feedback and consumption patterns in the early days of the event. However, the complication persisted.
The main restaurant in the Olympic Village has reportedly had to ration certain products, such as eggs and other proteins, which these athletes desperately need. On the other hand, not all athletes have complaints about the food or the rest of the accommodations, but it’s not what they anticipated either.
Hungary Minister of Defense and Sport Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky sits for a meal with Fencing Bronze medalist Eszter Muhari as he visits Hungarian Athletes at the Olympic Village during the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 28, 2024 in Paris, France | Source: Getty Images
Not Living up to Expectations
American gymnast Asher Hong has found some bright spots in the Olympic Village dining options despite the complaints from many. He said, “It’s not terrible. It’s just not what you would expect at the Olympic Games. You’d think that they’d bring some better chefs to kind of season the food a little bit better.”
U.S. track and field sprinter Anna Hall offered her take on the food situation, stating that she found it decent but acknowledged that many American athletes, herself included, are picky eaters. She mentioned that the US training site provides alternative meal options, so finding suitable food hasn’t been a problem.
Others have gotten creative with their meals. “I’ve been tearing up the world section, and I started to create my own hot sauces at the salad bar. So that’s helped,” US swimmer Caeleb Dressel said.
Some athletes, like American volleyball player Chiaka Ogbogu, shared their strategies for navigating the dining options. She recommended embracing “the variety” and trying different things, instead of sticking to the same meal every day, which can get boring. She approached this situation as a game of trying to discover new and interesting options within the village.
Even gymnastics superstar Biles weighed in on the food issue. At a press conference, she diplomatically stated, “OK, here’s the thing. I don’t think we’re having proper French cuisine in the village like you guys might be eating because you’re outside the village. For the athletes, it’s a little bit… healthier.”
Her teammate, Hezly Rivera, was more direct and said, “I don’t think it’s very good, at least what we’re having in the dining hall. I definitely think French food is good, but what we’re having in there, I don’t think it’s the best. But it gets the job done.”
Don’t take these athletes’ word for it. Their videos have everything you need to understand this situation. Check them out below, so you can come up with your own conclusions.
The Videos Have Gone Viral
Several athletes have posted videos of their Olympic Village meals, giving viewers a firsthand look at the food situation. US fencers Lee Kiefer and Gerek Meinhardt shared a clip captioned, “Paris @Olympics Athlete Village Food Review.”
They sampled dishes from the Asian section, including chicken tikka, sticky rice, curry beef, cauliflower, and leeks. They liked a few things more than others, but the ratings for this meal were an average of 3 stars. What’s more, Kiefer had a less-than-thrilled expression.
A screenshot of a meal at the Olympic Village dining hall posted by Lee Kiefer and Gerek Meinhardt | Source: TikTok/oldmarriedolympians
The Olympic couple also had the chocolate muffins that many athletes have been gushing about since the event started, and they loved it. They gave it 5 stars!
A screenshot of a meal at the Olympic Village dining hall posted by Lee Kiefer and Gerek Meinhardt | Source: TikTok/oldmarriedolympians
Ilona Maher, an American rugby player, posted a video addressing misconceptions about athletes’ diets. She emphasized the importance of carbs and showcased a plate with a bread roll, a croissant, and a crêpe.
Her message to viewers was, “Fuel up! Don’t stay hungry!” Listen to athletes, everyone! These are the healthiest people in the world, after all.
A screenshot of a meal at the Olympic Village dining hall posted by Ilona Maher | Source: TikTok/ilonamaher
In another video, Kiefer and Meinhardt reviewed a halal lunch. Their meal included couscous, turkey skewers, sweet potatoes, spinach, red peppers, and mushrooms.
This time, Lee appeared much happier and gave the meal 4 stars. Although the dishes look simple in her video, the taste and the amount of nutrition they’re getting is truly what matters.
A screenshot of a meal at the Olympic Village dining hall posted by Lee Kiefer and Gerek Meinhardt | Source: TikTok/oldmarriedolympians
Henrik Christiansen, a Norwegian swimmer, shared his own food review as he rated various dishes. He gave the pesto pasta and the pork skewer a 7 out of 10.
Meanwhile, the chocolate muffin scored an impressive 11 out of 10, and he actually made this treat go viral. The shrimp dumplings earned an 8, but the chicken gyozas only managed a 6.
A screenshot of a meal at the Olympic Village dining hall posted by Henrik Christiansen | Source: TikTok/henrikchristians1
Aleah Finnegan, another American gymnast, offered a dining hall tour to her TikTok followers and her commentary on the food. The Olympic dining hall is reminiscent of a buffet-style restaurant or a large university cafeteria.
While she found the meals good, she noted they lacked seasoning, although there’s a seasoning section. Her main complaint was how crowded the dining area has become, which has led to longer wait times for food.
A screenshot of a meal at the Olympic Village dining hall posted by Aleah Finnegan | Source: TikTok/aleahfinn
US swimmer Abbey Weitzeil’s video showed a different approach to the food and something many athletes have done since the games began.
She and her teammate, Phoebe Bacon, decided to “get creative” with their lunch to avoid the “scary” dining hall. They purchased ingredients from the bakery and local markets to prepare their meals in the swimming team room.
A screenshot of Abbey Weitzeil and Phoebe Bacon cooking eggs in their room at the Olympic Village | Source: TikTok/abbeyweitzeil
Meanwhile, Biles came in again with her perpetual positive perspective. She posted a video captioned, “Give me all the desserts,” where she enjoyed a croissant.
The video also had a popular TikTok sound, which goes, “Spectacular, give me 14 of them right now.” The gymnast gave the camera a satisfied look, so her croissant was delicious!
A screenshot of Simone BIles eating a croissant in her room at the Olympic Village | Source: TikTok/simonebilesowens
But it was Olympic shot putter Raven Saunders’s short video that had users half-laughing, half-shocked. The only sound in the clip goes, “You’ve disappointed me,” and the athlete mouths the words while showing a seemingly charred skewer.
Most of her followers had no idea what she was eating. One user asked if it was “a deep-fried mouse.” Another exclaimed, “What is that?!?!?! It don’t even look edible 
[sic].“
A screenshot of Raven Saunders holding some kind of skewer at the Olympic Village dining hall | Source: TikTok/giveme1shot
The guesses continued, with one user jokingly suggesting it was “a sun-dried scorpion 
.” Another simply stated, “Looks like rust [sic].” What do you think Saunders’ was eating?
A screenshot of Raven Saunders holding some kind of skewer at the Olympic Village dining hall | Source: TikTok/giveme1shot
Unfortunately, while it’s easy to laugh about funny-looking food or sigh at the lack of seasoning, there was a bigger problem in the dining hall, according to a British athlete.
A screenshot of the Olympic Village dining hall posted by Aleah Finnegan | Source: TikTok/aleahfinn
Worms in the Food
Adam Peaty, a Team Great Britain swimmer, claimed the offering at Paris 2024 was not what anyone expected and sometimes, it was downright disgusting for a particular reason: worms. He stated, “The catering isn’t good enough for the level the athletes are expected to perform. We need to give the best we possibly can.”
“I like my fish and people are finding worms in the fish. […] The standard, we’re looking at the best of the best in the world, and we’re feeding them not the best,” the athlete continued. He believes the organizers’ drive for a more sustainable event has contributed to this situation.
Peaty also revealed that there wasn’t enough protein and many had to wait over 30 minutes for food because there was “no queuing system.” Therefore, his delegation took action early in the Olympics, sending out a chef to Paris due to complaints about “inadequate” food.
A general view inside the Olympic village dining area ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on July 23, 2024 in Paris, France | Source: Getty Images
A spokesperson for Paris 2024 acknowledged the athletes’ feedback and said it was being taken “very seriously.” They also assured the public that adjustments had been implemented to enhance the overall dining experience.
French President of the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics Organising Committee (Cojo) Tony Estanguet (R) and Nathalie Bellon-Szabo, CEO of Sodexo Live! worldwide (L) at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Village Restaurant in Saint-Denis on June 25, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
However, they later amended their statement and said they had “no information to be able to confirm the specific allegation” from Peaty. Team Great Britain also stated that no reports of worms in food had been made to their staff.
Unfortunately, the damage was done, and the news of worms found in the food quickly spread on social media. The New York Post made uploaded a photo on Instagram to share this story from Peaty.
This post sparked immediate reactions from followers. One user exclaimed, “Disgusting like the rest of these olympics [sic].” Another simply wrote, “Ewwwww.” A third commenter added, “Really? Disgusting for the athletes.”
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz joins members of the German Olympic team in the canteen as he visits the German Olympic team at the Olympic Village on day one of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 27, 2024 in Paris, France | Source: Getty Images
What did you think of these food reviews? Do they meet your expectations for Olympic-level catering, or do you think improvements are needed? As the Games continue, it remains to be seen how organizers will address these concerns and ensure that the world’s top athletes receive the nutrition they need to perform at their best.
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