Russian athlete’s photo of food during Olympic quarantine goes viral

There have been numerous concerns expressed over the conditions athletes are facing after being forced to quarantine at the Beijing Olympics, and one Russian biathlon competitor says the food left her malnourished and feeling ill.

Valeria Vasnetsova had to quarantine in Beijing after testing positive for COVID-19. Athletes and others who test positive but have no symptoms are forced to quarantine in a specific hotel until they can be cleared. Those who test positive and have symptoms are sent to a hospital. On Thursday, Vasnetsova shared a photo on Instagram that showed a meal she had been served.

Russian biathlete Valeria Vasnetsova says this unseasoned mess is what she's receiving in COVID quarantine at the Beijing #Olympics. Says the food is 'inedible' and causing her to drop additional weight. pic.twitter.com/lvPTUFMuBS

— Joshua Sánchez (@joshnsanchez) February 7, 2022

Vasnetsova said she was served the same food for breakfast, lunch and dinner five days in a row.

“My stomach hurts, I’m very pale and I have huge black circles around my eyes,” she wrote, via a translation from The Associated Press. “I want all this to end. I cry every day. I’m very tired.”

Vasnetsova said she only ate the pasta at first because the rest was inedible. She later “ate all the fat they serve instead of meat because I was very hungry.”

The post drew a great deal of attention, and Russia team spokesperson Sergei Averyanov shared a photo of an improved meal Vasnetsova. It sounds like the issue has been addressed, at least for one athlete.

Photo Feb 4, 2022; Beijing, CHINA; The Olympic Rings are raised during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games at Beijing National Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports