As Estelle Lamotte, Sodexo’s director of Olympic Village, told Eater earlier this summer, Olympic athletes are going to eat about 3 million bananas during the games. But athletes cannot survive on bananas alone. “At peak time there will be 15,000 people living in one place. So that means per day, at peak time, we’re going to go up to 40,000 meals. At the end of the entire journey, it’s over 1.2 million meals,” she said. And of course, no two athletes have the same nutritional needs or tastes. So just what is everyone going to eat?
Priya Krishna dug more into the question for the New York Times. Of course, France is using this as an opportunity to showcase French cuisine. According to Krishna, “A boulangerie set up at the mouth of the village will churn out more than 2,000 baguettes, croissants, pain au chocolat, and focaccia daily, and even offer baking classes for athletes seeking respite from the grueling competition.” There will also be desserts like lemon tarts and the Paris-Brest. Unfortunately, though maybe understandably, there will be no wine — alcohol is prohibited at Olympic Village. But as Lamotte said, “They’re going to be in Paris. And let’s remember the average age of the athletes is 24 years old. We don’t need to worry about them sourcing alcohol.”
However, each country’s delegation is allowed to bring their own food as well, with many taking advantage of the opportunity to make sure athletes have not just the nutrition they require, but the comforts of home. Here, we break down what each country has decided its athletes cannot do without.
America’s Olympic delegation is shipping snacks to Paris
“Americans have been extremely vocal about what they want. They were more picky and sensitive about having a lot of gluten-free items, and a more vegetable-based diet,” Lamotte told Eater. But according to Krishna, “Americans mailed protein shakes, pretzels, popcorn, jerky, energy bars and, of course, peanut butter for their athletes.”
Ireland’s Olympic delegation is bringing breakfast
“We are bringing oats. Lots of them,” says Sharon Madigan, who is in charge of nutrition for the Irish team. Apparently, the French make subpar porridge. Have overnight oats not hit Paris yet?
Kenya is sending its Olympic delegation familiar foods
Purity Kamande, Kenya’s nutritionist, has sent Kericho Gold tea and ugali, a thick cornmeal dough. “The rule of thumb is to try to stick to what is familiar as much as possible and minimize the new,” she says. “Because we know that with the new, all these issues could come and affect them.”
Australia is making sure its Olympic team stays caffeinated
Along with bringing its own barista to the games so athletes can enjoy a flat white, Australia has set up a whole pantry of familiar goods like Weet-Bix, Vegemite, Milo, and 2,400 meat pies. They are also apparently celebrating Taco Tuesdays — and bringing 30kg of salsa for it.
Jamaica’s Olympic delegation is importing a taste of home
Jamaican brand Grace Foods will be setting up in Olympic Village to provide Jamaican athletes with “full access to their favorite Jamaican products.” Those include jerk seasoning and aloe vera drinks.
Japan’s Olympic delegation has its own soup
Food company Ajinomoto has developed special soup for athletes with chef Ryuji Teshima, and requested that the Olympic Village be stocked with plenty of miso. Japanese athletes have also been encouraged by the food and nutrition company to eat rice balls and dashi. Japan, of course, has recent knowledge of how to feed summer Olympic athletes. At the 2020 games, athletes complimented the gyoza, pasta and ramen.
China’s Olympic team has its own chefs
The Chinese delegation has reportedly brought a number of its own chefs to prepare food for its athletes. Meals include Sichuan chicken and Rice Krispies treats.
