Irish Olympic athletes have been learning this week about the importance of diet and nutrition as part of an Irish Institute of Sport link with the Wagamama Restaurant chain.
25 of the high performance athletes bound for London 2012 have attended a food basics and preparation course in Blanchardstown.
A similar course was run for the Irish boxing team last year in advance of the 2011 European Championships.
“It’s so often difficult in a busy schedule of training and competing to prepare food in the right way,” said Sharon Madigan, Nutritionist at the Institute. “Wagamama are helping us simplify cooking and make it fun for the athletes. The key education point is that something as enjoyable as what they eat and drink can have a significant impact on their performance and overall health in a high performance environment”.
The event was attend by a selection of Ireland’s high performance athletes from both Olympic and Paralympics squads including – hurdler Derval O’Rourke, Paralympics table tennis player Eimear Breathnach, sailors Peter O’Leary & Annalise Murphy, pentathlete Natalya Coyle, boxers Darren O’Neill, Adam Nolan & Paddy Barnes as well as Paralympic Swimmer Ellen Keane & runners Catriona Jennings, Fionnuala Britton, Linda Byrne & Mark Kenneally.