This archive report was first published on 14 May 2020.
On May 14, 2020, the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) hosted its third online sports conference, focusing on nutrition for athletes training from home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The webinar, titled 'The Home Athlete Nutrition Plan,' aimed to provide sportspeople with essential tips on proper nutrition to maintain their competitive shape during this period of inactivity.
Geoffrey Kamworor, the world half-marathon record holder, was among the panelists, along with boxer Elizabeth Andiego and nutritionists Erick Kihugwa and Mercy Barwecho.
Barwecho, the deputy chief Nutritionist at Kenyatta National Hospital, emphasized the importance of nutrition for athletes, stating, 'At the most basic level, nutrition is important for athletes because it provides a source of energy required to perform the activity. The food we eat impacts on our strength, training, performance, and recovery.'
She advised athletes to be disciplined with their diets during this period of inactivity, suggesting they improvise with locally available foods such as sweet potatoes and bananas.
Barwecho also emphasized the importance of maintaining healthy eating habits, involving food diversification with equal intake of proteins, carbohydrates, and vitamins, and keeping free from the COVID-19 infection.
Kihugwa, a clinical practitioner at Kenyatta National Hospital, shared dietary tips for non-elite athletes looking to stay fit during COVID-19, advising them to take foods that boost their immunity, such as fruits and vegetables.
Andiego, who became the first woman to represent Kenya in boxing at the Olympics in 2012, shared her experience, stating, 'I have not been too strict with my diet. This is due to the fact that we don’t have any competitions on the horizon.'
Kamworor, who maintained his routine without making any major changes to his diet, shared part of his diet regime pre and post event, noting that he ensures his diet is balanced before and after any competition.
He expressed his gratitude to the NOC-K for facilitating the webinar, stating, 'I have learnt a lot in terms of nutrition. I will make adjustments to my diet program. This info is relevant to sports people. I also hope to resume strong.'
