WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — As Olympians continue to prepare for the 2024 Summer Olympics, nutrition will be at the forefront.
Lauren Link, assistant athletic director and director of sports nutrition at Purdue University, spoke about the preparations Olympic athletes go through for the Summer Olympics.
When it comes to training, she says an athlete’s diet is completely different to the general public.
“The calorie needs of an Olympic-level athlete also depend on a number of different factors. Body size also has to be taken into account – larger people will need more calories than smaller people. The sport also plays a big role in how much training an athlete does,” Link said.
Link also said Olympic athletes typically need at least 3,000 calories more to prepare for the rigorous training sessions that build strength and endurance for the Olympics.
Another important factor Link highlights is how well Olympic athletes hydrate before a competition, which he says can be determined by a variety of physical factors.
“But how much an athlete needs will vary depending on their body size, the temperature and humidity during training, and the clothing they’re wearing in that environment,” Link said.
She also said another difficult factor could be travel, due to concerns about whether the necessary resources will be provided to feed athletes, something that nutritionists may need to keep in mind when Olympians travel to France this summer for the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Have a story to share? Let us know here
Watch more wherever you are on WLFI
With plenty of streaming options, it’s easy to stay up to date with WLFI’s latest content. Available on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV and other smart TV platforms, you can tune in anytime. Enjoy live streaming news shows and breaking news replays, as well as local weather and sports.
