'We didn't have enough meat': Paris 2024 organisers forced to increase egg and meat supply in Olympic Village

Paris Olympics 2024 organisers’ decision to have more vegetarian food in order to cut the average carbon emissions per meal in half compared to previous Olympics has created a problem. The meat-loving athletes attending the eco-friendly Games were left without their preferred food items.

The organising committee had also added several Michelin-starred chefs as advisors to work alongside its food contractor, French multinational Sodexo, to solve this problem.

Paris Olympics: News, schedule, medals tally and more

However, after controversy erupted and athletes complained, the Paris 2024 organisers have now increased the supply of meat in the Olympic Village restaurant as athletes looked to replenish themselves after gruelling competitions or gym sessions.

More from Sports

Why Novak Djokovic’s tennis calendar is under scrutiny as experts fear he could be left behind Federer ‘Gukesh is an incredibly fighting player. I think it’s adorable’: Caruana’s rare praise for world champion amid horror form

The changes include more meat, eggs, and bigger helpings.

Explained: Paris Olympics' elaborate plan to run 3,300-seat restaurant for athletes and available food

“The only issue would be the food shortages,” swimmer Julio Horrego from Honduras told news agency AFP on Monday when asked about life in the village. “It’s a bit surprising.”

Horrego, who says he eats up to 5,000 calories per day, said he turned up for breakfast at 10:30am on Sunday only to find there were no eggs left.

Impact Shorts

More Shorts

WWE SummerSlam 2025 Night 2 results: Cody Rhodes beats John Cena in wild title match

“If you arrive a bit late, then there aren’t enough,” he said at the entrance to the village which is buzzing with activity and can house 10,500 athletes in its roughly 40 low-rise towers.

Romanian rower, Iulian Chelaru, gave a clear answer when asked if there was anything missing: “meat”.

“We didn’t have enough meat, but now it’s solved,” he added.

German swimmer Lucas Matzerath, 24, said that the size of helpings was also increasing.

“At the start there were not very big portions for people, but it’s improved now,” he said.

The food hall includes six different dining areas offering meals from around the globe, with half of the 50 dishes available each day being 100-percent vegetarian.

“We enjoy our greens, so it’s not a problem,” Canadian beach volleyball player Sophie Bukovec said as she left the complex. “Some of the athletes are big meat-eaters. They’re trying to sort it out. There is protein you just have to know where to find it.”

Sodexo told AFP on Wednesday said it had adjusted its menus.

“Eggs and grilled meat dishes have been in high demand, so volumes have been increased significantly,” a spokeswoman for the group said. “For several days now the quantities offered are in line with demand.”