How many times were we told as a child to “eat all your meat so you can grow big and strong”? And how many ad campaigns these days play off the idea that meat is the ultimate source of protein and in order to build muscle you have to stuff your face with beef, pork and chicken? Well, in the face of the 2010 Winter Olympics, I am here to disband these rumors and argue that vegetarians can grow big and strong too and prove that it doesn’t take a meat-filled diet to make a person strong, agile and athletic. Here is a list of some of the most accomplished and decorated athletes of all time:
1) Carl Lewis: American track star who won 10 olympic medals including 9 golds. His athletic career spanned from 1979 to 1996. Lewis has been a vegan since he was a teenager.
2)Leroy Burrell: American sprinter who set the world record for the 100 meter dash…twice. He won the gold medal at the 1992 games in Barcelona. He is a vegetarian.
3) Murray Rose: This six time olympic medalist was a vegetarian since birth.
4)Paavo Nurmi: Often considered the greatest distance runner of all time this Finnish athlete won a total of 12 medals during 3 olympics. He became a vegetarian at age 12.
5) Al Oerter: American discus thrower, won 4 gold medals. He is a vegetarian.
Notice any similarities between these athletes? Ahh yes. Correct they are all vegetarian/vegans. So perhaps the key to a successful athletic career isn’t stuffing your face with hamburgers after all. Maybe it has more to do with getting the right amounts of healthy, low-fat protiens, carbs, fruits and veggies. All of which are easily attainable to vegetarians and vegans.
Carl Lewis sporting 4 of his 9 gold medals.
