IOC Announces USD $10,000 Grant for Olympians
The IOC has announced a new USD $10,000 grant available to every Olympian starting with Milano Cortina.
International Olympic Committee (IOC)
Less than a month after IOC President Kirsty Coventry faced criticism for saying she did not believe Olympic athletes should be paid, the IOC has announced a significant new initiative: a USD $10,000 grant that will be available to every Olympian beginning with the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games.
The program marks a first-of-its-kind initiative for the IOC and represents a meaningful step toward improving athlete support – something many within the Olympic community have long advocated for.
A total of USD $140 million has been allocated to the program as part of the IOC’s Fit for the Future strategic framework. The initiative was announced today by IOC Athletes’ Commission Chair Pau Gasol during the 146th IOC Session in Switzerland.
As Gasol explained: “This grant will be available to every Olympian. Not just medal winners. Not just athletes from certain countries. Every Olympian. Because, while every athlete’s journey is different, every Olympian has made sacrifices to reach the Olympic stage. Years of dedication. Years of hard work. Years of believing in a dream. This is not prize money. This is about recognising the journey and the commitment it takes to become an Olympian. And it is about recognising that every Olympian is part of our Olympic community, and honouring those who have come before us and paved the way, so that current and future generations of Olympians can benefit.”
Coventry also welcomed the announcement, saying: “It has been a topic of conversation for many years, and I am extremely proud that we are now able to do this.”