DIET AS A SIGNIFICANT SEGMENT IN THE SUCCESS OF A TRIATHLON ATHLETE PARTICIPATING IN THE PROJECT: HUMANITY AS A FORGOTTEN OLYMPIC DISCIPLINE

This work is part of the project “Humanity as a Forgotten Olympic Discipline” which represents a humanitarian expedition where an athlete will be enduring 13 days of a triathlon starting at the Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences, University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and finishing at the top of the Olympus Mountain in Greece. The primary goal of this project was to collect financial resources for the purpose of treating patients with cancer. Through his actions, the triathlon athlete faced extreme challenges which symbolically represent a battle full of ups and downs which these patients are fighting each day. A triathlon is a sport that requires skills, effort, endurance and motivation. It combines three sports disciplines: running, cycling, and swimming. The athlete was engaged in these disciplines during his venture to the Olympus Mountain. Most important aspect of this humanitarian expedition was the power of will. The will to succeed equals the will to get well. In these extreme circumstances, the athlete had support from his team: project coordinator, Doctor of Medicine, nutritionist, mountain climbing expert and photographer. Due to daily exhausting physical activity, the role of nutritionist played a significant part in his endeavor. Hence, the dietary plan was adapted to the conditions of staying in camper vans and facing unexpected challenges. Used methods were: Anthropometry (height, weight, BMI); instrument based on bioelectrical impedance method (BIA); software Program Prehrane 5.0; creating a dietary plan for 11 days including food preferences, energy needs and endurance parameters. Expected outcome refers to meeting the nutritional needs of the athlete with the aim of maintaining endurance and energy.