Indian Athletes To Enjoy Diverse Cuisine At Paris Olympics 2024

Indian athletes at the Paris Olympics 2024 will savour a variety of dishes, including Chicken Tikka Masala, Lamb Korma, Chennai prawn, and Butter Chicken, according to a report on The New Indian Express.

The Asian district lunch and dinner menu at the Games Village will feature these delicacies. Additionally, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options will be available for the athletes.

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has created a detailed chart to assist Olympic-bound athletes with their dietary needs. This chart categorises the cuisines available at the Olympic Games Village. The menu will rotate every eight days.

The Indian team is expected to arrive between July 18-20 for the event scheduled from July 26 to August 11. "Most of the athletes are already working with their respective nutritionists," Aradhana Sharma, IOA-appointed chief nutritionist for the Paris Olympics was quoted as saying by The New Indian Express.

Comprehensive Food & Nutrition Guide

To aid in nutritional planning, IOA has developed "A Comprehensive Food & Nutrition Guide for Olympic Bound Athletes." This guide aims to help India's 120-strong contingent plan their meals and meet recovery goals.

"This guide is an attempt to provide important information to all the Olympic-bound athletes regarding dining arrangements, meal options and their nutritional benefits, at the Olympic village in Paris," Sharma added.

The guide's purpose is to ensure optimal fueling before and during competitions and to support recovery. "Our aim is to optimally fuel the athletes on their Olympic journey," Sharma explained further.

Medical Team and Nutritional Support

For the first time, IOA has assembled a 13-member medical team led by orthopaedic surgeon Dhinshaw Pardiwala. This team includes two nutritionists: Dr. Sharma and Ms Mihira Khopkar. IOA believes that having more professionals will enhance services for athletes.

Sharma mentioned that she has been coordinating with personal nutritionists of many athletes. "I have been in touch with those nutritionists and we have shared the menu with them and asked them to prepare the diet plan according to this menu because athletes will be eating in the village," she said.

Diverse Food Options at Olympic Village

The Olympic Village features four districts offering various food and beverages: French, World, Asian, and Halal districts. Each district includes a salad bar, hot buffet breakfast, lunch, dinner, desserts, condiments, and breads. Common items like fruits, yogurt, breads, pastries, cheese, nuts, and dry fruits will be available daily across all districts.

"The International Olympic Committee (read Organising committee of the Games) has divided it into four districts and there is a huge variety of choices of food from different parts of the world for athletes to choose from," Sharma noted.

Female athletes have specific protein and micronutrient requirements which are considered in these meal plans. "Female athletes performing at this level are aware of their requirements even during the menstrual cycle," Sharma added.

Athletes are encouraged to adjust their food timings now due to time differences and weather changes so they can adapt smoothly when they arrive in Paris. "We have encouraged them to try the varieties of food," Sharma mentioned.

This initiative by IOA aims not only to cater to diverse dietary preferences but also ensures that all nutritional needs are met efficiently during their stay at the Games Village.