Singapore’s top badminton star Loh Kean Yew is off to a great start at Paris 2024 after his win against Czech Republic’s Jan Louda 21-30, 21-10 on Sunday (July 28)
After the match, the 27-year-old was interviewed by Mediacorp on what his post-win meal would be.
“Whatever that’s available, I mean…” the world number 13 trailed before admitting that “food here is… not the best description”. He then gave a sheepish grin.
Before we point fingers at anyone being a picky eater, Kean Yew isn’t the only one not hiding his feelings about mealtimes at what we assume to be the Olympic Village.
According to reports, athletes staying at the Olympic Village are said to have difficulties in getting balanced meals, with essential foods such as eggs and chicken not readily available.
Some have said this is due to Paris 2024 organisers prioritising plant-based options on the menu in a bid to make the sporting event more sustainable.
Umm… isn’t balanced nutrition the backbone for all sporting achievements?
The catering options were said to be so dismal, Team Great Britain allegedly decided to fly in a chef to specially prepare meals for their athletes.
In a video that has since been taken down, Zahria Allers-Liburd, a track & field athlete from Saint Kitts and Nevis aired her unhappiness over the meals with US gymnast Suni Lee and Nigerian basketballer Promise Amukamra concurring in the comments.
However, things might be looking up in the taste test with at least one athlete swearing by the dessert recently.
Norwegian swimmer Henrik Christiansen seems to have become a fan of the dining hall’s chocolate muffin, and at press time has posted four videos of the pastry.
In a bid to show their support for Kean Yew, Team Singapore commented on the post, writing: “Sending you some chicken rice and prata virtually”.
Hopefully, Kean Yew manages to find a delicious meal before he heads for his match on Wednesday (Jul 31) against El Salvador’s Uriel Canjura.