Can Olympians treat themselves over the Christmas break?

Triathlete Beth Potter isn't going to be sacrificing treats over Christmas

Boxing Day - the time for leftover turkey, trimmings and trifle.

But for some it's more like turkey, trimmings and a 10km run - especially if you've got an Olympics or Paralympics to look forward to in 2024.

So how do top athletes get to enjoy all the festive fun while still keeping up their fitness?

"I definitely will not be sacrificing my Christmas dinner."

That's what Team GB triathlete Beth Potter told BBC Newsbeat about her training regime over December.

"I think we're quite lucky with triathlon, we burn a lot of calories every day so I'll be eating all the trimmings," she says.

Gold medal hopeful Beth was selected for the Paris 2024 Games after winning her individual race at a test event in the French capital in August.

The triathlon consists of a 1.5km swim, a 40km cycle and a 10km run, but she says there's always room for treats alongside training.

"The pigs in blankets are my favourite. But my birthday is also on the 27th so I always look forward to some chocolate cake then," she says.

Katarina Johnson-Thompson (left) came third in the recent BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards

And it seems pigs in blankets are a firm favourite amongst Olympians.

Newsbeat caught up with Team GB heptathlon star Katarina Johnson-Thompson on the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award's red carpet.

"When it comes to diet I'm fine over Christmas," she says.

"I do seven events and train really hard so it doesn't make too much difference.

"My mum always puts an extra side of pigs in blankets on for me."

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Obviously you'd expect an athlete to be happy with getting in lots of protein and veg over the festive period.

But you'd be guessing for a while if you were wondering what KJT thinks is the most underrated thing on her Christmas dinner plate.

"My boyfriend is going to hate me for saying this, but it's onion rings," she says.

"I've had it since I was young, it's tradition in our house."

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Paralympic athlete Mickey Bushell won gold in the T53 100m at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London.

And when it comes to training at Christmas, he thinks it's an important time because athletes "are made in the winter".

"If it's cold, dark or even snowing you've just got to grit your teeth and get on with it. It's mind over matter," he says.

But he will be giving himself some time off over the festive period to enjoy time with his loved ones, and his favourite foods of course.

"I'll be off on Christmas day, it's important to wind down and spend time with family," he says.

"I'll do some training over the festive period but it won't be as intense.

"I love bacon, it's one of my favourite things in the world, [and] you can't beat roast potatoes either.

"To be honest I like all the trimmings except sprouts, I can't stand sprouts."

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