Simone Biles and Hezly Rivera [PC: Getty]

"I don't think we're having proper French cuisine" - Simone Biles stays diplomatic about Olympic Village food, Hezly Rivera expresses disappointment

Modified Jul 31, 2024 08:08 GMT

While young American gymnast Hezly Rivera has joined the growing voices criticizing the food provided at the Olympic Village in Paris, Simone Biles decided to be more diplomatic on the matter.

Since the start of the Paris Olympics, there have been many athletes who have claimed, especially via social media, that the food at the Olympic Village wasn't anything special.

Team USA volleyball player Erik Shoji shared a TikTok video of a late-night dinner in the food hall. He reviewed the pasta with pesto sauce, a few pieces of broccoli, and grilled chicken. While he acknowledged the food wasn't bad, he also said that it wasn't as good as it could be.

“Tastes how you might expect it. Not terrible, not great,” he said.

Other athletes have also not been impressed with the food. Gymnast Aleah Finnegan, track and field star Raven Saunders, and fencer Lee Kiefer are among the many who have since taken to social media to express their disappointment.

Now, 16-year-old Rivera has joined the growing contingent that has been left disappointed with the food they were being provided.

"I don't think it's very good, at least what we're having in the dining hall. I definitely think French food is good, but what we're having in there, I don't think it's the best. But it gets the job done," she said. (via The Daily Star)

Her teammate Biles, however, chose to be more diplomatic in her review of the food.

"OK, here's the thing. I don't think we're having proper French cuisine in the village like you guys might be eating because you're outside the village. For the athletes it's a little bit... healthier," she said, adding, "I thought the pizza was good," Biles said.

Simone Biles and Co. clinch team gold at Paris Olympics

Simone Biles in action at the 2024 Paris Olympics - Getty Images

Team USA, led by an inspired Simone Biles, clinched the gold medal in the women's gymnastics team final on Tuesday (July 30).

Three years ago in Tokyo, Biles pulled out of the Games before the women's team final. Before heading to Paris, she had stated that it was going to be a redemption tour for them.

And Team USA did adjust that, taking top honors at the Bercy Arena, with Biles' double backflip with a half twist and the "triple-double" of two backflips with three twists being the highlight of the night.