The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced a new "fit for the future Olympian grant" that will provide $10,000 (£7,600) to athletes for each Olympic Games in which they compete. This initiative is designed to support athletes both during their active careers and as they transition to life after sport.
A total fund of $140 million (£106.5 million) has been allocated for each Olympic Games to facilitate these grants. Athletes who participated in the recent Winter Olympics will be the first eligible group to apply.
Approximately 14,000 Olympians are expected to qualify for the grant per Games. However, eligibility is contingent upon adherence to anti-doping regulations and the IOC's code of ethics, participation conditions, and the Olympic Charter. Violations in these areas will disqualify an athlete from receiving the grant.
The grant funds will be distributed through existing National Olympic Committee (NOC) structures. Importantly, these payments will not affect or reduce any existing support programs offered by the IOC to NOCs, international sports federations, organizing committees, or Olympic Solidarity.
This new grant represents one of the initial actions stemming from the IOC's "fit for the future" framework, which seeks novel methods to assist athletes. Pau Gasol, chair of the IOC's athletes' commission, highlighted the sacrifices athletes make, stating, "This is not prize money. This is about recognizing the journey and the commitment it takes to become an Olympian."
While some international federations, such as World Athletics which began awarding prize money at the Paris 2024 Games, have introduced financial rewards, the IOC's grant is a direct initiative from the committee itself. IOC President Kirsty Coventry expressed pride in the new program, noting it addresses a long-standing conversation about finding more direct ways to impact athletes' journeys.
The grant is open to all athletes with "Aa" accreditation at the Olympic Games, excluding those participating in the Youth Olympic Games. The IOC aims to open the application process for the 2026 Olympians by the end of this year, with the first payments anticipated in 2027.
In related news during the 146th IOC session in Lausanne, Switzerland, amendments to the Olympic Charter were approved, reinforcing the principle of political neutrality in sport. The session also saw changes to the Olympic program evaluation process, which from Brisbane 2032 will focus on individual disciplines rather than entire sports for selection into the Summer and Winter Games.