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China Bristles at US' Olympic Food Snub

Beijing insists meat is safe, but Americans will brown-bag it

By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 22, 2008 8:36 AM CST
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(Newser) – China says it's a "pity" that US athletes won't be joining their international counterparts at dinner tables during the Olympics this summer over worries about the safety of food and water. American athletes will ship in their own meat and eat at their own training center, and China is none too happy about the snub, says the Washington Post. Reports of meat stuffed with chemical additives and bacteria-filled water have scared the US off.

"I feel it's a pity that they have decided to bring their own food," said the Olympic committee's catering chief. A Beijing official insists that "food safety standards for the Olympic Games are much more strict than international standards," although recent reports from Chinese and US sources seem to indicate that lax enforcement is the norm.

Spectators walk below the translucent wall of the National Aquatics Center, known as the Water Cube, as they arrive for an Olympic test event in Beijing Monday Feb. 4, 2008. The Water Cube will host swimming and diving competition at the 2008 Olympic Games, which open Aug 8. With the...
Spectators walk below the translucent wall of the National Aquatics Center, known as the Water Cube, as they arrive for an Olympic test event in Beijing Monday Feb. 4, 2008. The Water Cube will host swimming...   (Associated Press)
Chinese Olympic volunteers sing to motivate themselves during a driving class at a volunteer service class for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games inside the Geely University, north of Beijing, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2008. China's desired image of a highly organized and friendly Olympics is being undermined by a US decision...
Chinese Olympic volunteers sing to motivate themselves during a driving class at a volunteer service class for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games inside the Geely University, north of Beijing, Wednesday,...   (Associated Press)
Gymnast Nastia Liukin of Plano, TX., answers reporters questions during a news conference for 15 athletes who are expected to compete in the 2008 Beijing Olympics in New York, Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008. Liukin is an eight-time Pan American games medalist. She was born in Russia and moved to the...
Gymnast Nastia Liukin of Plano, TX., answers reporters questions during a news conference for 15 athletes who are expected to compete in the 2008 Beijing Olympics in New York, Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008....   (Associated Press)
American Olympic medalists Amanda Beard, left, Natalie Coughlin, right, and Michael Phelps pose with in new, high technology Speedo LZR Racer swimsuits they will wear during the Beijing Summer Olympics. The swimmers haven't been caught posing with the imported chickens they will be eating while in China, rather than partaking...
American Olympic medalists Amanda Beard, left, Natalie Coughlin, right, and Michael Phelps pose with in new, high technology Speedo LZR Racer swimsuits they will wear during the Beijing Summer Olympics....   (Associated Press)
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'Beijing belly' hurt triathlete in trials
Bloomberg

British delegation won't bring own food
Times (UK)

 
China • steroids • 2008 Beijing Olympics • athlete • food safety • US Olympic Committee • chicken • imported food • contaminated water

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