Meat-free burgers, quinoa salads and falafels – Paris 2024 organisers on Tuesday offered a sneak preview of what will be on the plates of athletes and spectators at the Olympics next year.

Along with their partner Garden Gourmet, Paris 2024 presented a burger with a patty made from wheat and a vegetarian salad composed of quinoa and a mix of vegetables, accompanied by a tahini sauce and falafels. 

According to the organisers, 60 percent of the food that would be offered would be vegetarian. Additionally, 80 percent of all dishes will be crafted from locally sourced produce in France, aiming to minimize the carbon footprint of the Games.

A total of 13 million dishes will be served during the Games, Paris 2024 said. 

According to the United Nations, animal-based foods, particularly red meat, dairy, and farmed shrimp, are typically associated with the highest greenhouse gas emissions. This is primarily due to the extensive grasslands required for meat production, often resulting from deforestation, which releases stored carbon dioxide from forests. Additionally, the waste from cattle on pastures and the use of chemical fertilizers for cattle feed contribute to the emission of nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas.

Conversely, plant-based foods such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans, peas, nuts, and lentils generally have a lower environmental impact. They require less energy, land, and water and exhibit lower greenhouse gas intensities compared to their animal-based counterparts.

(With inputs from Reuters)