10 Vegan Olympians Fueled Entirely by Plant-Based Diet

As the world’s gaze turns to the 2024 Paris Olympics, a profound shift is noticeable not just on the tracks, courts, and pools, but also in the dining halls of the Olympic Village. This year, an unprecedented number of athletes are showcasing their peak physical capabilities, fueled entirely by plant-based diets, representing a significant shift in the traditional paradigms of sports nutrition. These vegan athletes are challenging long-held beliefs about the requirements for protein and recovery, advocating through their performance that a diet free from animal products does not just sustain but enhances athletic prowess.

The trend of vegan athletes is not merely a fad but a part of a growing awareness of sustainability and health. Their choices align with a broader global shift toward minimizing environmental impact, mirroring the Olympic committee’s own efforts to reduce the Games’ carbon footprint. As more athletes turn to plant-based diets, researchers and nutritionists are closely observing the implications for performance, recovery, and overall health. These athletes are not only competing for medals but are also ambassadors of a lifestyle that promises a healthier planet and populace.

Championing Change Through Diet

Vivian Kong, an elite épée fencer from Hong Kong, is an exemplary figure in the fencing community, particularly noted for her resilience. Following a severe injury, she turned to a vegan diet around 2018. This change, she believes, played a critical role in her quick and robust recovery. Vivian has since captured multiple titles at the Asian Championships, reached high rankings on the global stage, and secured Hong Kong’s first gold medal at the Paris Olympics 2024. Her dietary shift not only enhanced her physical rehabilitation but also her overall performance, helping her maintain peak condition during competitions.

Constantin Preis, a prominent German hurdler known for his agility and speed, faced routine muscle tears, strains, and back problems until his trainer, Macard, approached him to make him aware of the potential for minimizing injuries through a change in diet. He adopted a vegan lifestyle in 2018, and since switching to a plant-based diet, Preis has reported noticeable improvements in his recovery times and a reduction in inflammation, crucial for an athlete in a sport as demanding as hurdling. His achievements in European athletics highlight his capacity to maintain high-performance levels while advocating for a diet that supports both personal health and environmental sustainability.

Novak Djokovic, one of the greatest tennis players ever, follows a predominantly plant-based diet, which he credits for his exceptional health and longevity in the sport. While he avoids labeling himself strictly vegan, his diet excludes all animal products. Djokovic has won numerous Grand Slam titles and held the world No. 1 spot for a record number of weeks, achievements he partly attributes to his dietary choices. His plant-based lifestyle helps enhance his recovery times, maintain his endurance, and support his intense training regime.

Morgan Mitchell is a standout Australian sprinter who transitioned to a vegan diet in 2014. Her decision came as she sought ways to improve her energy levels and recovery times between races. Since changing her diet, Mitchell has noted significant improvements in her performance, especially in her primary events, the 400m and 800m races. Her commitment to veganism is also driven by her ethical concerns about animal rights and environmental impact, aligning her personal values with her professional career.

Diana Taurasi, a legendary figure in women’s basketball, adopted a vegan diet to prolong her career and enhance her performance. Taurasi, who has claimed multiple Olympic gold medals and numerous WNBA titles, turned to veganism in 2016. Taurasi went vegan in 2016, hoping to boost her health in the long term, and “felt the change instantly,” she says. “I could recover faster, and the things I’m doing right now on the court, I wasn’t even able to do when I was 28.”

Kaylin Whitney, a young and promising American track and field athlete, has embraced a vegan diet to support her rigorous training schedule and competitive demands. Whitney, who specializes in sprinting events, believes that her plant-based diet has been crucial in improving her speed and recovery. And, by eating her greens, she has been able to win gold, again and again. “It was the best thing I ever did,” she proudly declares of her transition to plant-based foods. “For a long time, I didn’t even mention anything about my diet,” she admits. “I wanted to see if what I was doing would speak for itself. I just felt like I was able to recover quicker compared to how I was in the past. They’d notice I wasn’t feeling as sore as somebody else might have.”

Meagan Duhamel, a Canadian figure skater, has been a vocal advocate for veganism since 2008. Her diet has been a fundamental part of her training regimen, helping her achieve high levels of agility and endurance. Duhamel’s accomplishments, including Olympic medals and world championship titles, demonstrate the effectiveness of a plant-based diet in the demanding sport of figure skating. “I wasn’t a world champion before I was vegan, I was a world champion because I was vegan,” says Meagan Duhamel, 38, who won gold and bronze medals in team and pairs figure skating at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

Oceana Mackenzie, an Australian sport climber, relies heavily on her vegan diet to maintain optimal physical and mental condition. Climbing requires a fine balance of strength, flexibility, and cognitive strategy, all of which Mackenzie believes are enhanced by her nutritional choices. Her adherence to veganism underscores her dedication not just to her sport but also to a sustainable lifestyle.

Kendrick Farris, an American weightlifter, challenges conventional dietary norms within his sport by thriving on a vegan diet. Since 2014, Farris has shown that it is possible to build and maintain muscle mass and strength necessary for Olympic-level weightlifting without consuming animal products. “If my competitors had injuries, it sidelined them. Meanwhile, I was able to keep going,” says Farris, a three-time Olympian who still holds US records in the clean and jerk and total weight for the 94 kg weight class. His success provides a powerful counter-narrative to common misconceptions about plant-based diets and strength sports.

Anna Henderson, a British cyclist, has found veganism to be a key component in her training and competitive success. Her switch to a plant-based diet has enhanced her stamina and recovery times, essential elements in endurance sports like cycling. Powered by plants, her incredible 32.4km dash in 41:10.7 helped her secure 2nd place and contributed to Team GB securing one of their first silvers at the Paris Olympics 2024. Henderson is also motivated by the environmental benefits of veganism, aiming to reduce her ecological footprint while pursuing her professional goals.

These athletes represent a broader movement within professional sports that sees nutrition as a cornerstone of performance. Their experiences help dismantle myths about plant-based diets lacking in protein or energy, showcasing instead a robust alternative that offers health and environmental benefits. As the Paris Olympics continue, the success of these athletes serves as a powerful narrative for the potential of vegan diets in enhancing athletic performance and promoting sustainable living practices.