For the first time in the history of India’s Olympic Games journey, all stakeholders are on the same page vis-a-vis preparations for Paris 2024. News trickling in about food shortage in the Athletes Village has been blown out of proportion. This has been confirmed by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) officials as well.
There may have been a few isolated cases of food shortages, but nobody has really gone hungry. In fact, in most disciplines, the teams arrived in Paris early and have been training in right earnest. The catchphrase used has not just been ‘getting used to the weather’, but also to the ambience and food.
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Paris is not a city where there is any food shortage, by any yardstick. Of course, there are some cost-cutting measures from the host city. News of some Indian athletes “being starved” are untrue. There are several dining areas in the Athletes Village, and special care has been taken to provide Indian food as well. Even for those who prefer a vegetarian diet, the request has been catered to. In fact, the IOA president PT Usha said every effort had been made to ensure the athletes’ needs are taken care of.
At training venues before the Olympics opening ceremony as well, food requests have been managed as best possible. The IOA has brought on board nutritionists as well to ensure the athletes have a proper diet. There is nothing like in-room dining though. Athletes have to go to the dining areas where various cuisines are available in plenty.
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Even at venues hosting shooting and rowing, which are far from Paris, every effort has been made to ensure that various dietary requirements are taken care of. In terms of loosening the purse strings, India has spared no effort. Special care has been taken when it comes to the varied tastes of the Indian athletes.
Each discipline demands a different diet, and the Indian athletes from athletics to boxing and weightlifting eat as per a strictly monitored and planned diet. Nobody wants to put on weight or go hungry. Even with the tightest security controls in place, food is not an issue for Team India in Paris. The 117-member contingent may be scattered across the country – the shooters are in Chateauroux 300km from Paris, while the sailors will be based in Marseille in the country’s south-east – but the IOA has tried to ensure that every dietary need is met.
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