Can The Olympics Inspire Vegans To Play More Sport?

The imminent start of the Olympic Games in Paris may be very inspirational to many. Coming 100 years after the Games in the same city inspired the film “Chariots of Fire”, the event may do more than just entertain those watching on TV or crossing the Channel to enjoy the sport at the various venues. It could encourage some to take up more sport.

Of course, it is a common feature of events like this that, as a legacy, it is hoped grassroots sports will grow. It was an expressed hope of London 2012, although many will have had a go and soon decided it is not for them.

However, every so often someone is inspired, either to start a pursuit that may grow into a stellar sporting career, or simply a new activity that will increase fitness, bolster mood and develop new social contacts.

A particular question for those who live meat-free is whether there is any special inspiration for vegans, as well as equipment or products that will help those trying to be sportier.

Combining Veganism And Sport? No Sweat.

Vegan deodorant is a pretty good start. After all, if you are going to be running, jumping, climbing, lifting weights, whacking, throwing, or kicking a ball, or indeed just about anything more strenuous than throwing a dart or potting a snooker ball, you are likely to work up a sweat.

Knowing that you can perspire in pursuit of perfection (or just having fun and getting fitter) will be so much more satisfying if you can do so knowing that your deodorant has not been tested on animals, nor uses animal products. Indeed this will be a reassurance every day, however much or little sporting activity you get up to.

Moreover, if you want encouragement as a vegan to do more sport, what could be better than knowing there are many great Olympians who have steered clear of animal products and still made it onto the podium?

Great Vegan Olympians

Eight years ago, just before the Rio Games, the Organic Authority listed some truly great athletes who had not just taken part, but had brought home gold medals and smashed records.

The great American athlete Carl Lewis was a prime example. He won no fewer than ten Olympic medals, none of them gold, yet he said the best year of his career, performance-wise, was in 1991, the year after he turned vegan.

A particular pioneer of veganism in sport was Murray Rose, an Australian swimmer in the 1940s and 50s, who won six medals, including four golds.

The piece also mentioned Martina Navratilova, who appeared in the 2004 Games but is best known for her many Grand Slam triumphs in the 1980s and 90s across the world’s tennis courts.

However, for more recent tennis legends one can look to Venus and Serena Williams, whose plant-based diet was combined with Olympic golds and 31 Grand Slam singles titles between them. Venus adopted a vegan diet in 2011, with Serena following suit six years later.

Other Vegan Sporting Stars

It is not just among famous Olympians that you can find sporting legends who are vegan. Seven times Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton decided to go vegan in 2017 as a means of protecting the planet (he is also keen on making his sort less gas-guzzling, needless to say).

In cricket, superstars such as Indian legends Virat Kohli and Ravichandran Ashwin are among several vegans in the team, while there are quite a few Australians who have shown rather more care over their diet than might be imagined. Current players include Adam Zampa, while past stars like Jason Gillespie and Greg Chappell can be added.

There are even footballers at it, such as Brazilian superstar Neymar, former Manchester United defender Chris Smalling and former leading women’s player Karen Carney. Forest Green Rovers went further and made the whole club vegan, including not just the players’ diets, but all the food fans could buy in the ground at matches!

What this means is that when the world’s Olympians line up on the starting blocks, prepare to serve, walk out onto the pitch, or stand on the diving board, there will be vegans among them, flying the flag not just for their country, but for those who insist on a plant-based diet. Competing for medals and, in doing so, showing you don’t have to eat meat to win.

If all this inspires you to do more sports, that’s great. But the best thing of all could be when you hit the shower afterwards and then put on some vegan deodorant, ensuring that after all your healthy exercise you smell great.