During the Beijing Olympics, the media had a fridge load of stories about the monstrous 12,000 calorie daily diet that American swimming sensation Michael Phelps consumed while gearing up for the Games.

Alas, Phelps revealed last month his diet has never been that gargantuan.

Although what Phelps actually eats might remain a mystery, athletes around the world are trying out some strange — and in some cases, frightening — diets.