Korean Culinary Support: The Hidden Olympics Team

Months of meticulous preparation ensure Korean athletes at the Olympics have access to their cherished home cuisine. Since its inception at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the project has tactically expanded. Three cooking facilities in Milan, Cortina, and Livigno supply this effort, transporting meals twice daily to athletes' quarters.

Lee Dahyun, a manager at Korea's national training center, emphasizes the cultural importance of food, stating it's evolved from meeting individual requests to becoming essential for Team Korea. Central to this initiative is a nutritionist overseeing daily menus for over 130 athletes, ensuring consistency and quality.

Core Korean ingredients like kimchi are shipped from Korea months in advance, with fresh produce sourced locally. Innovations like self-heating lunch boxes have enhanced meal availability, providing warm nourishment despite athletes' demanding schedules and cold competition environments.