• The Olympians have complained about conditions at a COVID-19 quarantine hotel in Beijing.
• Athletes have complained of poor food, small spaces, poor WiFi and a lack of training equipment.
• The International Olympic Committee says it tackled what some called “unreasonable” conditions.

Athletes at the Beijing Olympics have been less than happy with conditions at the quarantine hotel for Olympians who test positive for COVID-19.

Russian biathlon competitor Valeria Vasnetsova posted a complaint about food quality on Instagram, The Associated Press reported on Saturday.

Vasnetsova posted a photo on Thursday of the food she was served for five straight days – plain pasta, orange sauce, meat and potatoes, with no greens, the AP reported.

“I have a stomach ache, I’m very pale and I have huge dark circles around my eyes,” Vasnetsova said. “I want this all to end. I cry every day. I’m very tired.”

Vasnetsova, whose Instagram is now private, reportedly said that after picking the pasta, she ended up eating all the food because she had lost weight and the bones were “sticking out”.

After German Nordic combined skier Eric Frenzel tested positive for COVID-19, his coach Dirk Schimmelpfennig called the conditions at the isolation hotel “unreasonable”, according to the AP.

Inside the Games reported that Schimmelpfennig requested that three-time gold medalist Frenzel be moved to a larger room with better Wi-Fi and food.

Christophe Dubi, executive director of the Olympics for the International Olympic Committee, said conditions were “not good enough” and the committee had been working to improve them, Inside the Games reported.

“It’s very unfortunate that this affected an athlete, it has been resolved and let’s be very thorough going forward to make sure the internet conditions, food and room sizes, training equipment and everything are perfect for athletes who suffer from the conditions.”

Dubi added, “A lot of improvements have been made.”

Vasnetsova is still in quarantine, but after her video the quality of food has increased and she is happier, according to the AP. She also reportedly had a stationary bike brought to her room so she could work out.

The Olympics are held in what is called a “closed loop”, in which all athletes and staff are contained in a bubble-like format to avoid interacting with the public. Olympians, staff and media are not permitted to leave certain confined spaces.

COVID-19 policies in Beijing have caused confusion, with some athletes who tested positive for COVID-19 being moved to the isolation hotel while others stayed in the Olympic Village. Others with symptoms were taken to hospital.

Belgian skeleton racer Kim Meylemans had released a tearful video explaining how she was sent to an isolation hotel after testing positive for COVID-19 while landing in China. After returning the three negative tests required to end her isolation, she was later moved to another hotel where she was told to self-isolate for longer.

“On the way to the village, we didn’t turn towards the village, but the ambulance went to another facility where I am currently,” Meylemans said.

She added: “I am supposed to stay here for another seven days with two PCRs a day and no contact with anyone. I am allowed to slide alone. We are not even sure if I will ever be allowed to return to the village. . “

The Belgian Olympic Committee and the IOC intervened to remedy the situation, and Meylemans said she was then sent back to the Olympic Village where she felt “safe”.