Adam Peaty has had a tough time at the Paris Olympics, despite securing another medal, having contracted Covid, and the swimmer has now shed light on the shocking state of food on offer to athletes.
Peaty was regarded as one of Team GB’s biggest medal hopes ahead of Paris 2024, yet he only finished second in the 100m breaststroke, in which he has been almost unbeatable for years.
After losing by two hundredths of a second, he admitted in his post-race interview that he had been struggling with a sore throat and lo and behold, he tested positive for Covid the next day.
After shaking off the virus to the point of being able to compete in the men’s 4x100m medley relay at the weekend, he was dealt another blow as the British team finished fourth – and is still believed to be taking a potent cocktail of antibiotics.
However, he has since exposed the supposedly shocking nature of the catering in Paris, claiming there were even “worms in the fish”.
Adam Peaty has revealed the state of food provided to athletes in the Olympic Village
He admitted that some athletes found “worms in the fish” at the Paris facilities
“The catering is not good enough for the level expected of the athletes. We have to give our best,” He told the newspaper i.
‘In Tokyo the food was amazing, in Rio it was amazing. But this time (…) there weren’t enough protein options, there were long queues, you had to wait 30 minutes for food because there was no queuing system.’
He added: “The sustainability narrative has just been hammered against athletes. I want to eat meat, I need meat to perform and that’s what I eat at home, so why should I change?” Peaty added.
“I like fish and people find worms in it. It’s not good enough.
‘The standard, we’re seeing the best of the best in the world, and we’re not giving them the best.
“I just want people to improve in their roles and jobs. And I think athletes are the best sounding board for that.”
There has been a push towards sustainability at the Games, which is certainly a positive given the growing carbon footprint of global sport, although the only downside would appear to be the impact this is having on athletes’ nutrition.
A spokesman for the Paris Olympics said its partners have been working hard to “adapt supplies” to the Olympic Village and that additional staff have apparently been recruited to help the service run smoothly.
The food on offer has come under scrutiny, with Peaty also suggesting that the “best in the world” are not held to similar standards of catering.
Peaty is one of a growing number of athletes who have sought to break the stigma surrounding mental health, and has previously revealed his own struggles that led him to briefly step away from swimming.
He returned to the sport ahead of the Olympics and secured his place on Team GB’s roster for the Games, but after the men’s 4x100m medley relay he once again admitted he would be taking a step back.
“I think I need to walk away from this sport because it’s hurt me too much this time, really,” Peaty said.
“Tomorrow is never guaranteed, so why worry? If my heart wants it, my heart wants it, and I’ll sign that contract with myself to do it. But that may be a long way off.
‘It could have been my last swim here.
Peaty will retire from swimming after the Olympics, but has left the door open for Los Angeles 2028
Peaty finished fourth in the men’s 4x100m medley relay event after recovering from Covid
‘Mel (Marshall, Peaty’s long-time trainer) has an incredible future ahead of her in Australia and the right talent will come her way. I don’t know what the answer is.’
However, she has tempered those doubts about her future, admitting to the i that she would still leave the door open to Los Angeles 2028 and would make a decision “within two years” on whether participation in other Games is “achievable.”
