After a rocky path to the Paris Games, Bobby Finke has been vocal about Team USA’s struggles, criticizing the team’s disappointing performance and the quality of food at the Olympic Village. His remarks shed light on broader issues affecting athletes. Finke’s frustration mirrors that of Michael Phelps, who told USA Today, “For me as a whole, I was pretty disappointed to see the U.S. swimming results.” 

Finke pointed out that inadequate preparation contributed to the team’s performance issues. Paris recently introduced “the world’s largest restaurant” at the Olympic Village, with over 200 cooks preparing up to 40,000 meals daily. However, the food quality has sparked controversy and, according to Finke, has impacted athletes’ overall performance.

Bobby Finke slams Team USA performance and Olympic Village food

In a candid interview on the Nightcap podcast on YouTube, Bobby Finke expressed his dissatisfaction with both Team USA’s performance and the food quality at the Olympic Village. “I don’t know if you guys have heard, but like the food was very controversial a bit food wasn’t the best,” Finke said. He explained that he had to consume large amounts of pasta in the days leading up to his races to carbo-load, despite disliking it, indicating the food quality at the Olympics village can be a topic of debate if he talks about their preparation.

When Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson asked him about his mental strategies and preparation for representing the nation on the global stage, Finke discussed his approach, referring to it as “superstition.” He told Chad, “Yeah I don’t know if I really get I call them like superstitions for me but everything is really in just how I prepare for the race, especially over at the Olympic Village,” emphasizing how he has been maintaining his mental and physical health during the preparation at Olympic village.

Despite his poor experience at the Olympic Village, Finke found motivation in his frustration. “Oh my god but like in the day leading up to that 1500 a lot of it was motivation on how angry I was after the 800 when I lost,” he said, acknowledging that his disappointment with the silver medal in the 800m event pushed him to perform better in the 1500m, where he ultimately clinched gold at the Paris Olympics. 

However, not only Finke but also other athletes have complained about Team USA’s preparation.

Unsanitary conditions in Olympic Village lead to complaints from Paris Games athletes

The food quality at the Olympic Village has been a source of controversy during the final days of the Paris Games. Many athletes have voiced complaints about the subpar meals. Italian long jumper Thomas Ceccon criticized the food, comparing it unfavorably to that in his home country. Similarly, British Olympian and 100m breaststroke silver medalist Adam Peaty shared his concerns with a British media outlet, stating, “The nutrition isn’t good enough for the level expected of athletes. At the end of the day, we have to perform at our best.” Peaty highlighted the lack of sufficient protein, which he said disrupted his preparation, noting his inability to find adequate meat options to fuel his energy needs.

Beyond the food, concerns about cleanliness and maintenance at the site have also been widespread. Athletes and team members, accustomed to a certain standard of service, have expressed disappointment and concern over how these issues might impact their performances.

Despite these challenges, athletes like Bobby Finke remained focused on their games, channeling their frustration into determination to perform well. Finke’s focus paid off as he eventually stood atop the podium, but the ongoing problems raise the question: Will the Paris Olympics be able to address these issues in time to ensure that every participating athlete can enjoy a well-organized and smoothly run event in the future?