Page 31 - GAS PR REPORT - July 2024

Paris 2024
Olympics Welcome Unique Arab Athletes
130 Years

Looking at the history of the Olympic Games, nearly 130 years since the first
modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896, Al Warsho’s presence can be seen as part
of what we might call “stomach diplomacy.”
This term refers to the first scientific thesis on “the diet of Olympic athletes from
1896 to the present,” conducted by the Open University of Catalonia in Spain.
The author of the thesis, researcher Xavi Santabarbara Diaz, noted that each country
hosting the Olympic Games influences visitors through the flavors of the foods they
find.
He added: “For example, in Seoul in 1988, the organizing committee used food to
promote the country, a great example of food diplomacy.
Since then, kimchi has become known worldwide.”
In another example, Japan was hesitant to consider its diet attractive to athletes
until the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
When its women’s national volleyball team won the gold medal.
The researcher noted that “their coach explained the athletes’ diet, which consisted
mainly of rice balls and fish, changing the way people viewed Japanese food.”
Al Warsho expressed genuine satisfaction and pride due to her tangible success in
Paris.
She was filled with mutual happiness from every visitor who praised the exceptional
hospitality offered by the UAE Olympic House.

https://uae-voice.net/uae-olympic-house-the-first-of-its-kind-in-paris/