Skip to content
Toggle menu
SportsTravel SportsTravel

Breaking News, Podcasts and Analysis Serving People who Organize, Manage and Host Sports Events

Primary Menu
  • News
    • Hosts & Suppliers
    • Recently Awarded
    • Sports Organizations
    • Sports Venues
    • Sponsors & Media
  • IN DEPTH
    • Feature Story
    • On Assignment
    • Perspectives
    • Technology in Sports
  • Podcasts
  • Sports
    • CATEGORY
      • Amateur Sports
      • Youth Sports
      • Collegiate Sports
      • Professional Sports
      • Olympic Sports
      • Paralympic Sports
      • National Governing Body
      • Adaptive Sports
      • Sustainability
      • Water Sports
      • Winter Sports
      • Women’s Sports
    • INDIVIDUAL SPORTS
      • Baseball
      • Basketball
      • Bowling
      • Cycling
      • Football
      • Golf
      • Gymnastics
      • Hockey
      • Lacrosse
      • Motorsports
      • Pickleball
      • Rugby
      • Running
      • Soccer
      • Softball
      • Swimming
      • Tennis
      • Track & Field
      • Triathlon
      • Volleyball
      • Wrestling
  • Esports
    • Esports News
    • Esports Guide
    • EsportsTravel Summit
  • Resources
    • Bid Bowl
      • Bid Bowl Listings
      • Submission Form
        • About Bid Bowl
    • Destination Spotlight
    • Destination Guides
    • Downloadable Guides
    • Venue Guides
    • Media Kit
      • Media Kit
      • 2022 Editorial Calendar
    • Digital Edition
  • Subscribe
    • Subscribe to E-Newsletter
  • EVENTS
    • TEAMS CONFERENCE & EXPO
    • EsportsTravel Summit
    • SportsTravel Road Trip
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
  • Instagram


Home > Olympic Sports > Food Options a Sign of the Times at the 2021 Olympics

Food Options a Sign of the Times at the 2021 Olympics

At concession stands and hotels, the options are anything from limited to curious

Posted On : July 24, 2021 By : Jason Gewirtz
2021 Olympics Food Volleyball
At the Ariake Arena, which is hosting indoor volleyball, concession stands sit empty.

Throughout the Tokyo venues, there are signs of what could have been for these Olympic Games. The signs are often in the signs themselves.

It is clear organizers built out each venue weeks back with an understanding that there would be spectators. When the late decision was made to ban all fans, there was likely too little time or desire to take down the signs.

Signage informing spectators of where to go for their seats are still posted. Signs at concession stands are also awaiting people that are not there. While one or two concession stands remain open to the limited number of journalists allowed into the Olympics at some of the venues, most are closed and not serving anything that had been intended.

Food can be a challenge for those covering the Olympics. While Japan may be known internationally for its cuisine, anyone with an accreditation is prohibited from eating in a restaurant during their stay unless it is at their hotel or in the media center in one of many COVID-19 countermeasures. That leaves what limited food is available at concessions if they are open, although the options are not terribly appealing. At the Opening Ceremony, my meal consisted of a cup of refreshingly cold vanilla ice cream and some trail mix I had brought with me from home since the instant ramen didn’t sound terribly appealing in the heat and humidity.

The Main Press Center is operating four eating venues, two that are more of a restaurant and two that are cafes serving items such as “sandwich.” What’s in the sandwich? I haven’t had the heart to look yet. While you can get items such a pizza, a hamburger or various rice bowls with fish or meat at the restaurants, it’s not exactly the cuisine you would envision for a trip to Japan. And if you’re a coffee addict, you’re more or less out of luck.

At my hotel, there is a morning breakfast. But each day has been a bit of an adventure down there. Meals are served in a box  you can take back to your room or you can eat at rows of tables with each seating area sectioned by Plexiglass.

The curious breakfast items served in a box at SportsTravel’s Tokyo hotel.

What’s in the box? Yesterday the selection was a seemingly impossible mix of food that was aimed to please every corner of the world. My breakfast options in the box were, in this order: hot dog, soft chicken, boiled egg, “French flies,” garlic shrimp, pancake, “chill con carne” and “fruits cocktail.”

Hot dog and “soft chicken” for breakfast, anyone?

It was not your normal breakfast fare, but then again this is not your normal Olympic Games.

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Print
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Email
Posted in: Olympic Sports, Paralympic Sports

Post navigation

IOC to Continue Mask Enforcement at Games
Catching Up with USA Volleyball CEO Jamie Davis

Follow us on Twitter

My Tweets

sportstravel

The latest SportsTravel Podcast is a great convers The latest SportsTravel Podcast is a great conversation with legendary surfer @xococoho. We talk about this week’s U.S. Open of Surfing, the challenges she’s faced in her career and surfing’s place on the Olympic program. 

To listen, visit SportsTravelMagazine.com or subscribe on all major podcast platforms.

#surfing #podcast #podcasts #sportspodcasts #sportspodcast #sportstravel #sportstourism #worldsurfleague @wsl
The @dewtour returned to Des Moines this weekend a The @dewtour returned to Des Moines this weekend and the downtown Lauridsen Skatepark — the largest skatepark in the country. When it opened last year, it immediately hosted the tour, which served as an Olympic qualifier. This year’s event was free to the public, which came out in big numbers to see top stars compete in street and park competition in the massive venue. And incredible exposure for host @catchdesmoines along the way.

#skatepark #skateboard #dewtour @dsmskatepark #actionsports #sportsevents #sportsvenues
The @dewtour adaptive park competition was a crowd The @dewtour adaptive park competition was a crowd-pleaser with some of the best tricks and fan support of the entire weekend at @dsmskatepark in Des Moines.

#adaptivesports #adaptiveskateboarding #skatebording #dewtour @felipenunesskate @vinisardi
You saw him first at TEAMS ‘21 in Atlantic City You saw him first at TEAMS ‘21 in Atlantic City but last night, @heimana_reynolds lit up the course at the @dewtour in Des Moines! Who will be on the @teamsconference ‘22 program in Oklahoma City? Stay tuned, details coming soon!

#teams21 #skateboarding #skateboard #dewtour @playacsports @meet_ac @visitokc @northstarmeets @ntgtravel
Time sheets: If you’re an event organizer, you k Time sheets: If you’re an event organizer, you know.

Swimming at the State Games of America was held at the @wellmarkymca in downtown Des Moines and was one of the most popular of sports offered, as was evident on the wall.

#swimming #timesheets #eventorganizer #sportsevents #youthsports @catchdesmoines @iowagames
Long jump is for all ages. In fact, track and fiel Long jump is for all ages. In fact, track and field is the most participated sport at the State Games of America, with all ages represented. The oldest athlete at the games is an 88-year-old man from Iowa competing in track. The youngest is a 4-year-old, also competing in track.

#longjump #track #trackandfield #stategames #seniors #jumping @iowagames @iowastateu @discover_ames
Welcome to light saber, part fencing, part cosplay Welcome to light saber, part fencing, part cosplay, part martial arts, all fun. And featured at the State Games of America.

#lightsaber #saber @iowagames #stategames #starwars #whoooomp @discover_ames @iowastateu
Athletes from 46 states plus the U.S. Virgin Islan Athletes from 46 states plus the U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada are competing this weekend at the State Games of America in Ames and Des Moines, Iowa. One highlight is getting to mark your hometown on the map.

#stategames @discover_ames @catchdesmoines @iowagames #map #sports #youthsports #amateursports #geography
Iowa is wrestling country and at the State Games o Iowa is wrestling country and at the State Games of America in Ames, wrestling is one of the most popular and passionate sports across all age groups, even those too young to get on the mat.

#wrestling #stategames @discover_ames @iowagames @iowastateu #competition
More than 16,000 athletes, officials and spectator More than 16,000 athletes, officials and spectators from 46 states are in Ames and Des Moines, Iowa, this weekend for the State Games of America, organized by the National Congress of State Games across 30 venues. SportsTravel is on hand and will share some of the action, which covers dozens of sports, including competitive yoga, light saber and more.

#stategames @catchdesmoines @discover_ames @iowastateu @iowagames #iowa #lightsaber #wrestling #yoga #track #archery #cauldron #soccer #youthsoccer
For the first time, the SportsTravel Road Trip tra For the first time, the SportsTravel Road Trip traveled to Louisville, Kentucky, in partnership with @gotolouisville and @sportsinlou. The program featured an opening night at @angelsenvy distillery, education at the @kfcyumcenter with sessions on future Olympic sports and the growth of @uslchampionship, and a game at the incredible @lynnfamilystadium between @louisvillecityfc and @phxrisingfc. It was the first time the event was held outside of its original home in Colorado Springs.

#sportstourism #louisville #sportstravel #sportsbusiness
Dodger Stadium is one of the best venues to watch Dodger Stadium is one of the best venues to watch a sporting event and the iconic stadium didn’t disappoint last night during the Major League Baseball All-Star Game.
Gearing up for the 92nd MLB All-Star Game. There’s a large Yankees presence here, both past and present.
Last night was all about Washington Nationals supe Last night was all about Washington Nationals superstar Juan Soto, who won his first MLB Home Run Derby.
MLB All-Star Weekend MLB All-Star Weekend
TEAMS Europe is a wrap! The launch of our TEAMS Co TEAMS Europe is a wrap! The launch of our TEAMS Conference in the UK at the ExCeL in London was an astounding success. And we were delighted to have Lord Sebastian Coe as our keynote on the 10-year anniversary of the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games. Special thanks to all our speakers and the HMS Belfast for a memorable opening night. Can’t wait for the next one and for our U.S. event, October 24-27, 2022, in Oklahoma City!
The latest SportsTravel Podcast is a deep dive on The latest SportsTravel Podcast is a deep dive on the new @sports_eta State of the Industry report, detailing how fast the industry recovered in 2021. Hear from Al Kidd and Jennifer Stoll on what that recovery looked like and take away lessons from the data that you can use to advocate for the importance of the industry.

To listen, visit SportsTravelMagazine.com or subscribe on all major podcast platforms.

And special thanks to @myrtlebeachconventioncenter for sponsoring this episode!

#podcast #sportspodcast #research #sports #sportsbiz #sportsbusiness #economicimpact
SportsTravel recently was able to take a look arou SportsTravel recently was able to take a look around The Podium, a world-class indoor track and field facility completed in 2021 in @spokanesports and @visitspokane. The venue has already hosted the USA Track and Field indoor championships in February 2002 and will host the 2002 USA Karate National Championships later this summer. While currently able to host other events such as local high school graduations by covering up the track plus karate, volleyball and more, indoor track and field is what makes the Podium stand out from the crowd. In its inaugural season, the complex hosted 13 events that totaled 9,867 room nights and had an estimated economic impact of more than $15.3 million dollars.
SportsTravel was able recently to go behind the sc SportsTravel was able recently to go behind the scenes at #Gonzaga University in @spokanesports and @visitspokane. Opened in 2004, the 6,000 seat McCarthey Athletic Center, known as “The Kennel,” has been sold out for every men’s basketball game since the building opened. The facility includes state of the art locker rooms and coaching office suites for both the men’s and women’s basketball programs. The event level includes the men’s and women’s locker rooms, athletic administrative offices, the Herak Club Room and more. The concourse level of houses men’s and women’s basketball coaching offices, six luxury suites and concessions stands. 

#gozags #basketball #sportstravel #spokane
With its prime location near many of the most impo With its prime location near many of the most important business hubs in the northeast, Ocean City is ready to host your sports events. Northside Park, Ocean City’s largest and most popular park facility, is well-suited for sporting activities, thanks to its impressive array of facilities, which include walking and jogging paths, three lighted softball/baseball fields, a lighted soccer field, a multipurpose sports field and even a fishing lagoon. Concession stands, two piers and a gazebo add to the venue’s appeal. Groups can also make use of a 14,200-square-foot gymnasium, complete with kitchen, community room, conference room and a sports annex with a 21,000-square-foot arena.
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Recent Posts

  • NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Committee Makes Site Change
  • Ironman Takes on One of Its Toughest Challenges: Juneau
  • USA Wheelchair League Event Headed to Grayslake, Illinois
  • William Mayhall, Jr. Tabbed as General Manager of Bill Noble Park
  • Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals Headed to London in 2023
Sports Travel Magazine

About Us

Since 1997, SportsTravel magazine has served the sports‐related travel and event industry. It is the only publication written and designed to serve the people who organize, manage and host sporting events of all types at all levels.

  • Subscribe to E-Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • SportsTravel Foundation
  • Supplied Content
  • Privacy
  • Terms

NORTHSTAR TRAVEL MEDIA SITES

  • Northstar Meetings Group
  • Meetings & Conventions
  • Meetings & Conventions Asia
  • Meetings & Conventions China
  • Successful Meetings
  • Incentive
  • Meeting News
  • Retail Travel
  • Travel Technology
  • Corporate Travel
  • Hotel Investment
  • Data Products
  • See All Northstar Brands

INDUSTRY PARTNERS

Sports ETA

Destinations International
Northstar Travel Media LLC Copyright © 2022 by Northstar Travel Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. 100 Lighting Way, Secaucus, NJ 07094-3626 USA | Telephone: (201) 902-2000
scroll to top