The 2024 Paris Olympics set a new standard for sustainability, featuring plant-based menus and eco-friendly initiatives. While some athletes struggled with the change, others thrived, proving vegan diets can fuel elite performance. In this article, we highlight the standout vegan athletes who won medals, showing that a plant-powered lifestyle can succeed at the highest level.

The green games: Sustainability meets performance in Paris

When the Olympic torch passed through Paris, it carried more than just the spirit of competition—it ushered in a new era of sustainability at the Games. The 2024 Paris Olympics proudly took on the mantle of ‘The Greenest Games Ever’, owing to their ground-breaking commitment to eco-friendly practices. In the Olympic Village, organisers made a bold culinary move by offering a menu rich in legumes, grains and greens, carefully crafted to fuel athletes while aligning with a greener future. It was a menu that even made the most committed carnivores question their choices—well, most of them.

Of course, some athletes struggled to let go of their usual eating habits. The Olympic Village offered a variety of protein sources, but it’s reported that the meat options ran out on the very first day. Australian freestyle BMX cyclist Natalya Diehm gained extra attention when she famously declared, ‘I do not want to go back and eat that [vegan food] again. I’m thrilled with my Macca’s!’ While it’s surprising to hear a top athlete prefer McDonald’s, it’s understandable that the sudden shift to plant-based options could be challenging for those used to meat-heavy diets. We do hope, however, that some of them might have been inspired to explore a more plant-based lifestyle and perhaps even consider going fully vegan.

At VegClub, we’re always in favour of a fully meat-free menu and some might argue the Games could have gone further, but in our view, the Paris Food Vision was a big step in the right direction. Rome wasn’t built in a day and the fact that veganism was discussed so widely is certainly a positive sign. If you’re interested, you can read the full Food Vision here.

From leafy greens to gold medals: Profiles of top vegan athletes at the games

A pre-Games survey revealed that 5% of Olympic athletes identified as vegan or vegetarian (that’s 525 athletes by our calculations!) and here, we spotlight the top performers—the ones who left Paris with medals around their necks.

Diana Taurasi—Shooting for gold and making history

Diana Taurasi—the 42-year-old basketball legend, added yet another gold medal to her collection in Paris, bringing her total to a staggering six Olympic golds. Often hailed as the greatest women’s basketball player of all time, Taurasi switched to a vegan diet in 2015 to reduce inflammation and maintain peak condition as she ages. Her continued success in Paris is proof that a plant-based diet can not only sustain but also enhance an athlete’s performance, regardless of age. Taurasi’s dominance on the court clearly demonstrates that veganism and elite athleticism can go hand in hand.

Anna Henderson—Pedalling to success

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Anna Henderson has long been a formidable force in cycling and her performance at the Paris Olympics only reinforced her reputation. The British cyclist secured a silver medal in the women’s individual time trial—a remarkable achievement, particularly as she overcame two collarbone fractures earlier in the year. Henderson’s vegan journey began as a way to align her diet with her ethical beliefs and she credits her plant-based lifestyle for aiding her recovery and allowing her to perform at her best. Her story is a compelling reminder that compassion and competitive drive can coexist beautifully.

Vivian Kong—Fencing her way to gold

Vivian Kong made history in Paris by winning Hong Kong’s first gold medal of the Games, becoming only the third athlete from her country to achieve this. As a fencer, Kong relies on agility, precision, and sharp focus—qualities she believes are enhanced by her vegan diet. Her success in Paris not only brought pride to her nation but also highlighted how a plant-based diet can serve as the foundation for peak performance in even the most demanding sports.

Ana Carolina and Macris Carneiro—Brazilian volleyball stars

Brazil’s women’s volleyball team featured two standout vegans—Ana Carolina and Macris Carneiro, who played crucial roles in securing their team’s bronze medal. After adopting a vegan diet, both athletes noticed significant improvements in endurance and recovery, which contributed to their success on the court. The duo had already tasted success as vegans, with silver medals in Tokyo 2021 and the World Championships and their continued excellence in Paris shows that a plant-based diet can sustain top-level performance across multiple Olympic cycles. At VegClub, we’re particularly fond of Macris Carneiro! Inspired by Macris, Ana Carolina joined her in going vegan. We believe every meat-eater needs a Macris Carneiro in their life!

Eleanor Harvey—Making Canadian history

Eleanor Harvey made history for Canada by winning a bronze medal in the individual foil event, marking the first time her country has ever medalled in Olympic fencing. Harvey has been vegan for most of her life, motivated by ethical and environmental concerns. She attributes her diet to giving her the energy and mental clarity required to compete at the highest level. Her achievement in Paris is a powerful example of how a plant-based diet can fuel groundbreaking accomplishments on the world stage.

Read more How plants can improve your mental health

The growing impact of veganism in sports

The Paris Olympics clearly signalled that veganism is gaining ground in the world of sports. More athletes are embracing plant-based diets, and the results speak for themselves. These athletes are not just participating—they’re excelling, breaking records and setting new standards for what can be achieved on a plant-based diet.

As more athletes like Taurasi, Henderson, Kong, Carolina, Carneiro and Harvey continue to thrive, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the future of sports might just be vegan. Who knows? The next gold medallist could be someone inspired by their stories to give veganism a try.

What do you think? Could a plant-based diet be the secret to success? Let us know your thoughts on our social media post about this article.

If you enjoy our articles and want to read more of our content, check out the top 7 vegan restaurants in Germany for you to try this summer. Perhaps take a look at meet animal lover Emma Garcia—world champion artistic swimmer. Or explore Oatly empire: How the brand became the number one non-dairy brand in the world.