Olympics fail to “meat” athletes’ demand for high-quality protein

My six-year-old son has taken an interest in weightlifting and exercise.

I’ve found him doing pushups when he’s supposed to be putting his pajamas on and borrowing my dumbbells to do curls instead of using his free time to play with toys.

I’ve taken advantage of this new passion to impress upon him the importance of also eating meat, eggs and dairy foods to build strong muscles.

And there’s no better time than right now—during the Olympics—to point to what hard work and superior nutrition can achieve.  

That’s why it’s baffling animal-based proteins were in short supply at the Olympic Village. Athletes’ frustrations prompted organizers to quickly acquire more than one ton of meat and 1,500 pounds of eggs to meet demand. (Luckily, Team U.S.A. shipped in 8,000 bottles of high-protein milkshakes for their athletes.)

Animal-based meat is the gold standard

Olympic athletes have reported enjoying eggs, yogurt, lean meats and ice cream as part of their diet. Even those who identify as vegetarian acknowledge the challenges of meeting their protein requirements without including animal-based meats.

According to information provided by the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, not all protein is created equal.

While they encourage protein from various sources, they recognize real meat contains the highest levels of leucine, an amino acid that helps build and repair muscles. Protein from animals is also more easily absorbed in the body compared to animal-based sources, making it more readily available to use.

Zinc is an instrumental mineral in an athlete’s diet, supporting immune systems and healing. Real meat, particularly beef, is the primary source of zinc in the American diet. A lack of it causes fatigue, which is obviously not ideal when you're performing on the world's biggest stage.

Here in Iowa, grocery shoppers also recognize the health benefits of real meat. According to the Iowa Farm Bureau Food and Farm Index®, 94% of grocery shoppers consider animal-based meat healthy. For comparison, only 59% believe this to be true of plant-based imitation meat.

Farmers are champions of environmental stewardship

While we may not all be the world’s top athletes, Iowa farmers know what it’s like to place number one as they lead the nation in several areas of production and conservation practices.

The lack of meat at the Paris Olympics was attributed to efforts in reducing the event’s environmental footprint. While environmental protection is an admirable goal, cutting back on meat fails to acknowledge animal agriculture’s great sustainability story around the world, especially in the U.S.

In the United States, livestock only contribute 4% of total greenhouse gases. American farmers are at the forefront of innovation, continuously adopting new technologies, research and feeding practices to minimize environmental impacts while maintaining top-notch animal care.

Through these efforts, between 1990 and 2022 American farmers reduced greenhouse gas emissions per meal by 25%.

It’s because of this commitment to animal care and sustainability that we all win, including the 99% of Iowa grocery shoppers who eat real meat and dairy weekly.

I count myself among them and will continue to encourage my son’s newfound interest in fitness. While it’s too early to tell if he’ll be the next pommel horse “guy”  who will take the internet by storm or simply a kid with a strong work ethic, I’ll make sure he fuels his body to reach his potential for whatever inspires him next.  

Learn more about author Caitlyn Lamm here.