Kenyan athletics camp chef reveals athletes' diet plan
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Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 06.12.24. | 09:52
Kirwa ensures the athletes are well-nourished with a balanced diet tailored to their rigorous training routines
Ever wondered what athletes' meals consist of? well, worry not as Kapsait Training Camp chef Dan Kirwa has shared a diet plan for the athletes in the camp.
The camp has produced talents, among them former world record holder, London and Chicago Marathon winner Brigid Kosgei and World Half Marathon bronze medallist Catherine Relin.
Kirwa ensures the athletes are well-nourished with a balanced diet tailored to their rigorous training routines.
“In the mornings, our stars love hot milk tea served with hot chapati and eggs. During lunch hour, they enjoy boiled rice and beans and in the evening we serve them generous amounts of spinach with ugali and meat.
Several times they take traditional vegetables such as managu and occasionally, the athletes lick honey which they bring from outside.
Our athletes also get their carbohydrates from potatoes which are in adequate supply in the high altitude area,” he said as per The Standard.
Apart from cooking for them, Kirwa went on to reveal that he is their biggest fan. When they are competing, he completes his kitchen duties just in time to watch the races.
His favourite races are the 21km and 42km marathons. Last year, when Reline brought home a bronze medal from the World Road Running Championships in Riga, Kirwa said he watched with excitement and felt proud.
“I have become their biggest supporter and fan. At times, they compete when I am in the kitchen cooking but I always find time to sit and watch them run.
It is often emotional for me because I feel like it is the results of the work that we do that gives them the much-needed energy to keep pushing harder and eventually win medals,” he continued.
The athletes too do not fail to appreciate his dedication. When they return to the camp from the races, they bring him goodies.
“When they return from international races, they bring back some gifts as appreciation, and I feel encouraged,” he concluded.
The role of chefs in sports competitions is undeniably crucial, for instance, during the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics, nearly 300 chefs worked hard to prepare over 13 million meals for athletes, technical teams, and officials from more than 200 countries.
They served 15,000 athletes across 14 competition venues, making sure everyone had the energy to perform their best.
Each day, the chefs cooked 40,000 meals in the Olympic Village, showing how important food is for athletes’ success during the 30-day event.
