Paris Olympics off to poor start: ‘coordinated attacks’ on rail system, ‘environmentally friendly’ food provider failing to fuel athletes

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PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 27: A general view of the Eiffel Tower at dusk as the Olympic Rings are displayed during previews ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on June 27, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

With the opening ceremony for the Paris Olympics set to begin Friday, turmoil plagues the event. Not only has food for the olympic athletes failed to meet requirements, the French railway system was attacked. A source close to the investigation told Associated Foreign Press (AFP) that the attacks were intentional and well-coordinated. The national train operator, SNCF, confirmed that the sabotage affected its Atlantic, northern, and eastern lines, leading to numerous route cancellations. “Arson attacks were started to damage our facilities,” SNCF said in a statement, noting that traffic on the affected lines was “heavily disrupted” and that the situation would persist through the weekend as repairs were conducted.

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According to The Times of London, food at the Olympic Village has been horrifically substandard. British Olympic Association chief executive Andy Anson told the outlet there have been insufficient quantities of chicken, eggs and some carbohydrates, while some meat has been served raw. “They have got to improve it over the next couple of days dramatically,” Anson said.

Anson also noted that the British team had to go so far as to send another team chef to France due to increased interest in their athletes eating in their performance lodge in Cichy, as opposed to the mainstream Village in Paris.

Sodexo Live, the provider of food from the 2024 Games, acknowledged its shortcomings thus far but vowed that improvement was coming. The representative also noted that “volumes have therefore been increased” for top lean items like grilled meats and eggs.

The New York Post quotes an anonymous British athlete who remarked that the company is more focused on being environmentally friendly than supporting the athletes: “They are saying the Games are more sustainable and there is way more plant-based food but sometimes if you go at peak times it’s challenging to even get a piece of chicken,” the athlete said.

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