# Plant-Forward Diets Fuel Athletes at Tokyo Olympics

**By Neal Barnard, MD, FACC** · 2021-07-28

![person holding Olympic rings](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0319/0960/9603/files/tokyo-olympics-vegan-diet_300.png?v=1627398108)Olympians from sports including basketball, soccer, and track and field are fueling their performances with plant-forward diets.

Because a plant-based diet is high in carbohydrates, low in fat, and rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, it can support or improve athletic performance. A Physicians Committee [study](https://www.pcrm.org/news/blog/six-reasons-athletes-are-running-toward-vegan-diet) found that plant-based athletes benefit from improvements in heart health, performance, and recovery.

Athletes at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics who are passionate about the power of plants to help them up their game include:

-   Basketball player [Diana Taurasi](https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/31868732/different-diana-taurasi-arrives-tokyo-olympics), who started a vegan diet in 2015
-   Sprinter [Kaylin Whitney](https://vegnews.com/2021/6/track-star-kailyn-whitney-vegan-for-olympics), who went plant-based to prepare for the Olympics
-   Vegan skateboarders [Micky Papa](https://vegoutmag.com/interviews/vegan-pro-skater-micky-papa-on-skateboarding-the-olympics-and-his-nonnas-cooking/) and [Amelia Brodka](https://vegnews.com/2021/7/olympic-skateboarders-vegan)
-   Vegan fencer [Vivian Kong](https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/2161783/vegan-vindication-asian-games-medallists-switch-plant)
-   Soccer players [Alex Morgan](https://www.insider.com/us-soccer-star-alex-morgan-diet-anti-inflammatory-prevent-injury-2021-6), who says her diet relies on anti-inflammatory foods like berries, sweet potatoes, and leafy greens, and [Ali Riley](https://www.greenqueen.com.hk/girls-gone-veg-soccer-stars-toni-pressley-ali-riley-to-launch-vegan-cooking-show-to-promote-plant-based-foods-athletes/), who recently launched a vegan cooking show to promote plant-based foods for athletes
-   Tennis player [Novak Djokovic](https://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/news/articles/2021-07-09/2021-07-09_five_things_to_watch_on_day_11.html), who just won Wimbledon for the sixth time and is the world’s No. 1 men’s tennis player

Visit [PCRM.org/Athletes](https://www.pcrm.org/good-nutrition/nutrition-for-athletes) and download the free e-book _Food Power for Athletes_ to learn how plant-based foods can fuel athletic performance and to get started with plant-powered recipes!

**Tags:** Category_Diet, Olympics, vegan

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> Source: [Village Green Apothecary](https://myvillagegreen.com/blogs/post/plant-forward-diets-fuel-athletes-at-tokyo-olympics)