The Paris 2024 Olympic Games is in full swing, however, according to several athletes, the conditions at the Olympic Village are not up to standard. Indeed, athletes from various countries have been complaining about the facilities in Paris.
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Italy’s gold medalist, Thomas Ceccon was seen taking a nap in a park in the French Capital after complaining that the accommodation was too hot as there is no air conditioning. Australia’s Ariarne Titmus claimed she didn’t have the best time in her swim due to the conditions of the Olympic Village.
Moreover, several athletes have complained about the food, with Team GB’s Adam Peaty making several claims from finding unwanted things in their food to a lack of options.
Team GB’s Adam Peaty speaks up about Olympic Village food
As mentioned above, many athletes have made complaints about the conditions in the Olympic Village in Paris. Adam Peaty, who won silver in the 100m breaststroke, said that the food in the village is ‘just not good enough’ as per Daily Mail.
According to Peaty, who has announced he is taking a break for his mental health, athletes have to wait 30 minutes due to ‘long queues’. He also adds that the cafeteria is lacking options, such as protein.
Tokyo, the food was incredible, Rio was incredible. But this time around […] there wasn't enough protein options, long queues, waiting 30 minutes for food because there's no queuing system.
He added that some athletes have said they found worms in their fish, as per Daily Mail, Peaty said:
I like my fish and people are finding worms in the fish. It's just not good enough.
Finally, Peaty explained that for Olympic athletes to perform at their best, they need to be given the best, and the catering isn’t offering that:
The catering isn't good enough for the level the athletes are expected to perform. We need to give the best we possibly can.
The catering company for the Olympics has reacted to Peaty’s claims
The company catering for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games has responded to claims made by Adam Peaty. As per Daily Mail, the catering company is Sodexo Live! and they have denied claims that the food provided is not up to standard.
The company also claimed that there is nothing hazardous in the food, and there is no evidence that worms were found in the food. The company said, as per Daily Mail:
There has been zero proof of the truthfulness of this statement, which obviously raises a rather serious allegation. There has been zero proof of the truthfulness of this statement, which obviously raises a rather serious allegation.
The company also added that they have received no complaints from any Team GB athletes. This comes after reports that Team GB flew out an emergency chef as there was a food shortage and foods like chicken and eggs were being rationed.
The Olympic Committee, who is no stranger to controversies during the games, has also made a statement amid the various claims:
The 550 dishes on offer in the Dining Hall were developed together with the National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and the IOC over a period of more than a year.
Adding that they listen to feedback and make any adjustments necessary:
We always listen to the athletes and take their feedback very seriously. Paris 2024 continues to liaise closely with nutritionists of the National Olympic Committees and is ready to make any further adjustments needed to the food service.
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Sources used:
Daily Mail: ‘Adam Peaty reveals athletes have found 'WORMS' in the food at the Olympic Village as the Team GB star blasts 'long queues' and lack of meat at Paris 2024’
Daily Mail: ‘Olympic Village food vendor breaks silence after swimming star claimed athletes found 'WORMS' in the food in Paris’
