TV Olympians drink matcha tea for focus and energy

Medal winning Olympians such as Colin Jackson, Jamie Baulch and Rebecca Adlington OBE drink matcha tea to help cope with their busy schedules and a survey reveals it’s a growing trend

“Drinking matcha is a habit I link to helping me feel more focused” said silver medal-winning Olympian sprint and hurdling athlete Colin Jackson.

Jackson, who won a silver medal at the 1988 Summer Olympics and is now preparing to present the BBC’s coverage of the 2024 games in Paris, said: “Drinking matcha is a habit I link to helping me feel more focussed. I drink it to freshen my mind and for a lift in energy.”

In a survey by OMGTea of 127 British matcha drinkers, 88 per cent said they experienced an increase in energy from drinking matcha while 83 per cent said that matcha improved their focus.

But the most positive response came when survey respondents were asked if drinking matcha regularly made them feel they wanted to lead a healthier lifestyle, to which 98 per cent responded: ‘yes’.

Meanwhile, fellow Olympian sprinter Jamie Baulch, who won a silver at the 1996 Olympic games, agreed that matcha improved his energy and focus. He said: “Matcha gives me a gentle boost and helps me feel revitalised. I find that matcha provides that pinpoint focus I need.”

Katherine Swift, CEO of Brighton-based matcha company OMGTea, said: “Matcha green tea has been drunk by Buddhist monks for centuries and is known to help to still and focus the mind – it is regarded as a drink of meditation.

“Samurai traditionally consumed matcha before battle, whereas Buddhist monks drank it for relaxation and to achieve a sense of Zen.

“It makes a lot of sense for people who need to focus and concentrate to drink matcha, whether they are Olympians, TV presenters, or just everyday people with busy lives.

“In today’s fast-paced world, many individuals facing challenges at work and home could benefit from better focus and an energy boost.

“A good cup of matcha is a great way to start your day. If everyone drank a cup of matcha a day, I genuinely believe the world would be a better place.”