12 Things Olympic Athletes Do When They Travel (Few People Know About)

The superhuman abilities of Olympic athletes leave their audiences breathless. Yet these superstars are still found riding in economy seats with everyone else (while other celebs stick to private jets). From Simone Biles to Michael Phelps, they’re all human. No matter how unreal their achievements make them seem. That humanity paired with the unique challenges of living high velocity lives results in some interesting travel habits.

Over the years, these athletes have shared tips for facilitating the travel experience. Several oddities that don’t apply to those not a part of this esoteric group have also been disclosed. Then there are the secrets. We’re talking the aspects of travel amongst Olympic athletes that don’t reach public ears because of scandal.

In this list, we'll cover Olympic athlete travel facts of all types that aren’t yet mainstream knowledge.

12 Eat Salty Food Before Flights To Keep Hydrated

Olympic skier Stacey Cook told Business Insider that adding a little salt to a meal helps to retain water. At the same time, it doesn’t require her to make frequent trips to the bathroom since the water is processed more slowly. That way she can rest up before landing.

11 Get Jet Lag On Purpose

Nervousness can be a deciding factor in who gets the gold at the Olympics. That’s why some athletes seek out the fogginess of jet lag to stop themselves from overthinking, according to CNBC. Participants in the Pyeongchang Olympics explained that it allowed them to get higher jumps.

10 Crowdfund Their Travel Costs

Earnings for athletes who participate in the Olympics come after they’ve won their medals. Before that, they have to scrape together their own funds just for the opportunity to compete. In previous years, athletes took to crowdfunding to make it to the distant locations of the games.

9 Usain Bolt Relies On Chicken Nuggets Everywhere He Goes

In an interview with Atlas Magazine, Usain Bolt claimed that travelers can always count on McDonald's chicken nuggets no matter what country they’re in. He put his own advice into action every Olympic season. During his Beijing trip he was reported to have eaten 1000 McDonald's chicken nuggets.

8 Obey A Strict Curfew

Traveling for competitions puts athletes at the mercy of rules implemented by coaches. Curfew often makes it to the list to keep everyone out of trouble. The rules are taken seriously. Esquire once reported that an athlete was sent home without competing in the Olympics because he broke curfew.

7 Singing To Make The Trip Go By Is Tradition

Videos of athletes singing during flights surface on the Internet every time the Olympics rolls around. Michael Phelps and other athletes uploaded a "Call Me Maybe" YouTube music video when the song was still a hit. More recently, the Olympic basketball team sang "A Thousand Miles" on their flight.

6 Find The Nearest McDonalds

A 41 year-long partnership between the Olympics and McDonald’s has made the fast food restaurant a part of the culture for the athletes. So much so that Big Mac buffets have crept into their regular travel routines. CNBC reported that the partnership has ended, but athletes continue to indulge.

5 Spend Ages Finding Their Luggage

Athletes are certain to feel a surge of pride when they catch a glimpse of the sea of suitcases and sweatsuits brandishing their country’s colors. That feeling turns to dread when they realize that they have to sort through it all for the bag that carries their tag.

4 Ship Even More Luggage To Avoid The Hassle

The transportation of large amounts of awkward equipment for a competition is a task carried out by the athletes. According to Smarter Travel, these athletes choose to ship parts of their luggage to simplify the process. It’s an option that’s also available when vacationing in one place for some time.

3 Enter And Exit Rapid-Fire Relationships

CNN spoke with Olympic Village residents and found that they were partying just as much as they were practicing. Competitions are the only time these athletes have to interact with other single young people because of their busy schedules. They’re sure to make the most of that time.

2 Ditch Their Roommates With Borrowed Hotel Rooms

Young competitors were all too happy to share the details of what goes down on Olympic trips with ESPN. Roommates are a requirement in the Olympic Village and in general on team trips. To get around this, the athletes are said to call in a favor from their managers.

1 Show Off Their Skills In-Flight

High altitudes and speeds make a plane seem like a less than perfect location for a photo op. Athletes excited to show everyone just how they earned their gold medals say otherwise. Gymnast Max Whitlock gave us an example of that enthusiasm on his way back to Britain.

Next: Tokyo Officials Concerned Over How The Coronavirus Could Affect The Olympics