How athletes prepare for the Olympic Games

The games are coming, and we continue our series of words related to the event. Today, chef Thierry Marx talks about the nutrition of athletes, in this period of preparation for competitions. “Each athlete has a personalized food program,” he explains.

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games are almost here. We are looking forward to them, as are the athletes who will take part. Beyond the sports preparation, which is of course the most important, the nutritional aspect is an important factor, which top athletes now integrate in an almost professional manner.

Starred chef Thierry Marx, who himself trains regularly at Insep and is a high-level competitor in judo in particular, talks about this preparation: “Each athlete has a specific nutritional program, especially when they are in a weight category, like in judo. This program is established according to their morphology, their energy needs but also their desires, and it is very personalized.

You don’t build a diet for a pole vaulter or a boxer in the same way, even if they all need mineral salts or vitamins. You have to know when to find the right energy.”

These issues were not considered a few decades ago, but we have seen nutritionists enter sports circles. The medical aspect is fundamental, because not everyone can be a nutritionist. The athlete must remain efficient, not gain weight, not get injured due to a deficiency of certain vitamins, and continue to enjoy eating.

“So he has rules to followconfirms Thierry Marx. Athletes have different personalities: some cannot access all products, others are vegetarians, others do not eat certain meats, etc. Everything must be balanced for close support.

Athletes tell me that they have a nutritional coach, just like they have a sports coach, who can measure – sometimes to the nearest microgram – the perfect dosage for each person. You have to work on the long term, over the whole year, and not just on the eve of a competition.”