There’s a new breakout star inside the Milan Olympic Village, and it’s not wearing skates.
Athletes at the Milano Cortina Games have fallen hard for a very on-theme carb: Olympic ring–shaped pasta. Five perfectly connected circles, just like the iconic symbol, plated up in the dining hall and quickly becoming the most talked-about dish of the Games.
Because if there’s one thing Italy is going to do right, it’s pasta.
The exclusively shaped creation comes from Michelin-starred Italian chef Carlo Cracco, who didn’t stop at just making it look good. The sauce is reportedly just as memorable, featuring oregano, basil, olives and capers layered with anchovy sauce — yes, tiny fish juice included — and finished with a pop of fresh lemon zest. It’s salty, bright and unapologetically Italian.
Olympians say it tastes as good as it looks.
American figure skaters Max Naumov, Madison Chock and Evan Bates are among the athletes who have praised the dish, helping send it into viral territory. In one NBC segment, competitors were even shown “painting” with the pasta, clearly leaning into the fun of the five interlocking noodles.
The buzz comes as fans continue to obsess over what athletes are eating inside the Village. Food has become a spectator sport of its own at recent Games, and Milan’s dining hall is operating at full speed. Organizers are preparing roughly 4,500 meals per day, and according to The New York Times, about 1,300 pounds of pasta are served daily.
This particular pasta, however, is almost as exclusive as a medal. It’s primarily available only to Olympians inside the Village, though a small number of boxes are reportedly being given away locally. For everyone else, it may be time to consider taking up curling.
From ketchup on pasta to espresso pronunciation, Team USA athletes hand out red, white and green flags while discussing Italian culture ahead of the Milan Cortina Olympics.
