An example of the food served in the Olympic Village. Photo taken on June 25, 2024, during a press presentation. DIMITAR DILKOFF / AFP
It was supposed to be the “world’s greatest restaurant” and a showcase for French gastronomy. Yet, the athletes’ eatery in the Olympic Village has come in for persistent criticism from some of the foreign delegations. Small portions, lack of taste, insufficient protein, inadequate pasta portions: Since the opening of the cafeteria in Saint-Denis, criticism has been pouring in.
The first rebukes came from the British at the very start of the competition. Athletes complained about the shortage of eggs for breakfast and the lack of white meat. The delegation decided to take packed lunches with them and brought in an English chef to the Team GB performance center in Clichy.
The German field hockey players, for their part, spoke of “disaster” on social media, referring to both the quality and quantity of the meals served in the village. “Everyone’s in the same boat,” said American swimmer and multi-medalist Katie Ledecky on Saturday, July 27, after the 400-meter. Since then, on Instagram and X, posts from many athletes commenting on their life in the village, the quality of the meals served, or the long lines, have flourished.
You have 67.57% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only.