The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced a groundbreaking initiative to provide direct financial support to athletes. For the first time, every Olympic participant will be eligible for a $10,000 grant.

The Fit for the Future Olympian Grant program was unveiled at the 146th IOC Session in Lausanne. The first recipients will be athletes competing at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo.

The grant is part of the broader Fit for the Future strategy, aimed at supporting athletes both during and after their careers. The payment is not performance-based: all Olympians, not just medalists, can receive the funds.

It is estimated that around 14,000 athletes per Olympic cycle will qualify for the grant—one per participation in the Games. Funds will be distributed through National Olympic Committees. If an athlete does not apply, the money remains in the fund to support future generations.

The new measure does not replace existing funding programs but serves as additional support. Only athletes with Aa accreditation, starting from the 2026 Olympics, are eligible. Youth Olympic Games participants are excluded.

Compliance with anti-doping rules, the Code of Ethics, and the Olympic Charter is mandatory. IOC Athletes' Commission Chair Pau Gasol emphasized that the grant is not a prize but recognition of each Olympian's journey and efforts.

The IOC is currently developing the application mechanism. The submission process for Italian Games participants is expected to open by the end of the year, with first payments beginning in 2027.

Source: podrobno.uz