High-level athletes like Olympic champions stick to strict diets to stay fit and withstand rigorous training, especially before major tournaments like the Olympics. So what do these champions have for breakfast?

In a report published by the American website "Eat this not that," author Julianne Berry says that most professional athletes eat a balanced breakfast that contains fats, proteins and carbohydrates to boost activity in the morning, prepare for training and build muscle.

The following is a list of the most prominent breakfast options followed by the most famous international sports stars.

  • Runner Gwen Jorgensen: Tacos

American runner Gwen Jorgensen, the 2016 Olympic gold medalist, posted a video on social media showing her making tacos at home with her husband before her morning workout.

The tacos contain eggs, potatoes, peppers, cheese, lemon juice, and cilantro.

  • Michael Phelps: Fried egg sandwiches

During the 2008 Olympics, press reports confirmed that Olympic swimming champion Michael Phelps eats about 12,000 calories a day.

Although this information is not entirely accurate, Phelps does consume a large amount of calories during competitions.

It was reported at the time that Phelps would eat 3 sandwiches every morning containing fried eggs, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions and mayonnaise.

  • Ryan Lochte: Eggs, Oats, and Fruit

Before the 2016 Rio Olympics, American swimmer Ryan Lochte spoke about the huge amount of food he eats during training.

For his morning breakfast, Lochte ate 6 eggs with spinach, tomatoes, meat, french fries, pancakes, oatmeal and fruit, as well as French vanilla coffee with 1 sugar and cold milk.

  • Usain Bolt: Egg sandwich

Jamaican star Usain Bolt explained in a 2015 interview with British magazine "GQ" that he follows a strict diet, but during peak training he chooses to eat an egg sandwich in the morning.

"During the day, he eats enough food to get energy for training and to make sure it is digested quickly," Bolt adds, but at night, he eats a lot of food based on his coach's recommendations.

Jamaican star Usain Bolt eats an egg sandwich in the morning (Shutterstock)

  • Ryan Murphy: Omelette

American swimmer Ryan Murphy, who won 4 gold medals in the Olympic Games, most recently in the current Tokyo Games, revealed the daily diet he follows during training.

His breakfast consists of one banana before training, with an omelet, spinach, mushrooms, onions and salmon after he gets out of the pool.

  • Gabriella Douglas: Banana Oatmeal

Ahead of the 2016 Rio Olympics, American gymnast Gabriella Douglas revealed her typical meal before morning training.

Gabriela stated that she wakes up at seven in the morning and drinks a glass of water, and in order to have enough energy to train 4 hours a day, she eats a hot bowl of oatmeal and a banana with tea.

American gymnast Gabriella Douglas revealed her typical meal, a hot bowl of oatmeal and a banana (Al Jazeera)

  • Simone Biles: Oatmeal and Fruit

American gymnast Simone Biles told "Women's Health" in October 2020 that she does not follow a specific diet, but rather eats anything she knows is healthy, and tries to avoid overeating because she is constantly visiting the gym.

Biles says she gets up before 7 a.m. and eats a little, and sometimes she doesn't, and when she has time to eat, she chooses oatmeal or fruit.

  • Katie Ledecky: Peanut Butter Toast

American swimmer Katie Ledecky, a five-time Olympic gold medalist, eats a light breakfast so she doesn't get tired in the pool.

Ledecky told Pure Wow in September 2019 that she starts her morning swimming exercises at 6:15 and usually wakes up 30 minutes before training.

Before diving into the pool, she eats some peanut butter toast and a banana, noting that this breakfast provides her with enough energy during her early morning workout without feeling full.

  • Caleb Dressel: Anything with carbohydrates

American Olympic swimmer Caleb Dressel, who won five gold medals in the Tokyo Olympics, revealed to USA Today what he eats during training days.

At the start of training, Dressel says he eats something light such as bread, toast or oatmeal, explains that he does not overeat before entering the pool, and chooses anything containing carbohydrates if his meal is not complete.

US Olympic swimmer Caleb Dressel prefers to eat something light such as bread or toast (pixabi).

  • Naomi Osaka: "Light" breakfast

Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka eats a "light" breakfast, and she revealed to "Pure Wow" last April that the first thing she does when she wakes up in the morning is drink a juice that her coach Yutaka Nakamura makes for her, and this juice contains kale, spinach and walnuts. India and kiwi.

Next, she usually eats rye bread with smoked salmon and avocado.

  • Laurie Hernandez: Scrambled eggs

American gymnast Laurie Hernandez revealed that on the day she doesn't train until the afternoon, she eats scrambled eggs, turkey and cheese for breakfast, then eats a light lunch.

She confirmed that she usually prepares oatmeal the night before or prepares a snack because she does not have time to prepare food in the morning.

Hernandez explained that her nutritional strategy depends on listening to her body and eating what suits her, and that she adheres to a specific number of calories.