Beijing, The Beijing roast duck, arguably the most widely known Chinese dish the world over, has become a top favourite of athletes competing at the Olympics.

"The athletes like the roast duck very much. To ensure they fully enjoy the Chinese delicacy, we have decided to raise the daily supply of the ducks from 300 to 600," Deng Yaping, spokeswoman of the Olympic Village, told reporters.

Cooked in a special way, the duck is usually sliced and dipped in a sweet plum sauce before being wrapped into a thin pancake along with slices of Chinese onion and cucumber.

According to Olympic caterer Amarak, the canteen has hired chefs from the 136-year-old Quanjude Beijing Roast Duck chain to prepare the duck, a gourmet's choice in China, in the traditional style.

According to four-time Olympic table tennis champion Deng, the canteens in the Olympic Village have set a world record in scale and quality of the food service they have provided.

"By Aug 14, the main canteen in the village had received a total of 273,627 athletes and officials from various countries and regions, setting a new record in the Olympic history," she said.

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