COMMENT: 'Most political thing you do on a daily basis is eat,' says Tipperary farmer

The most political thing you do on a daily basis is eat. Why we eat the food we do has been shaped by location, culture, innovations, and politics, writes Tipperary farmer and influencer Katie Gleeson.

The Olympics, which claim to rise above such trivial matters, are a fascinating reflection of the world they exist in, and the food situation at the Paris Olympic Village is reportedly a hot mess.

Athletes are scrambling to get enough grilled chicken and eggs—basic stuff they need to keep their energy up. Countries such as Britain, Norway, and India have all made complaints, and some have even resorted to bringing their own packed meals back to the Village, which is just ridiculous.

Here’s why: Paris Olympic officials decided to offer more plant-based foods to make the Games “greener”. But again, common sense goes out the window when we have this debate around nutrient dense food —athletes need protein, and lots of it.

Cutting back on meat and dairy isn’t the answer, especially when Olympians are pushing their bodies to the limit. Diet is a pivotal part of their training plans. Is the motive purely aspirational by the Paris Olympic Committee.

They’ve mandated that 60% of the food provided will be meat-free, or is it a corporate one.

Plant based alternatives are often not actually wholesome vegetables but a franken-food meat substitutes full of fillers, stabilisers, gums and additives. Real food should come from farms, not factories.

The real environmental villain here isn’t food, especially in France, where on average more than half the produce is locally sourced. France has a thriving and vibrant food culture.

Having visited the Brittany region myself, I admired their diverse system where crops, horticulture, dairy and beef farms all sit comfortably together in the landscape.

Transporting food locally for optimum nutrition has a way smaller impact than, say, flying in celebrities on private jets for extravagant opening ceremonies that probably have a carbon footprint the size of a small country, but they can’t make sure the athletes get enough chicken and eggs?

If the Games want to be truly sustainable, they should focus on cutting fossil fuel use and unnecessary events. You know, the big stuff that actually makes a difference. How will they sleep on their cardboard beds at night?

For future Games, they need a more rounded approach. How about supporting sustainable farming practices to produce meat and dairy instead of ditching them? And investing in tech to reduce the carbon footprint of everything else?

There are smart ways to be green without starving the athletes. High-protein foods like chicken, beef, and eggs are non-negotiable for muscle repair and energy.

Skimping on these essentials is just going to hurt their performance and health.

Imagine telling a marathon runner to skip their carbs; it’s that level of absurdity.

But food politics aside, watching these Olympics has been a joy. The nation has collectively experienced “something in my eye” watching team Ireland’s medal winning moments.

Who knew Kelly Harrington could also deliver an emotional punch through sheer authenticity during her medal ceremony, the determination of all our Olympians is inspiring.

As an occasional sports viewer, I enjoy the smorgasbord of events showcasing athletes at the top of their game.

After all, a well-fed athlete is a winning athlete, and isn’t that what the Games are all about?