IOC Launches $140 Million Olympian Grant Program to Support Athletes Worldwide
ANOCA Commits $2 Million to Elite African Athletes Ahead of LA28
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) today announced a groundbreaking initiative that will provide direct financial support to every athlete competing in the Olympic Games.
The new program, titled the Fit for the Future Olympian Grant, establishes a $140 million fund per Olympic cycle, ensuring that each eligible Olympian receives a $10,000 grant to aid both their sporting careers and their transition into life beyond competition.
The announcement was made during the IOC Session by IOC Athletes’ Commission Chair Pau Gasol, who emphasized that the grant is not prize money but a recognition of the extraordinary dedication required to reach the Olympic stage.
IOC President Kirsty Coventry hailed the initiative as the culmination of years of dialogue about athlete welfare, describing it as a historic milestone in the Olympic Movement’s commitment to supporting athletes on and off the field of play.
Approximately 14,000 Olympians are expected to benefit from the program during each four-year cycle.
The first group of recipients will be the 2,900 athletes who competed at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympic Games. Applications will open later this year, with the first payments scheduled for 2027.
Athletes competing at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games will subsequently be eligible for an estimated $110 million in grants following the Games.
To qualify, athletes must have competed in the Olympic Games and must not have committed anti-doping violations or breached the Olympic Charter, IOC Code of Ethics, or Conditions of Participation.
Grants may be used to invest in education, career development, business ventures, coaching certifications, and other opportunities that prepare athletes for life after sport.
In a parallel development, the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) has announced a dedicated Athlete Support Programme worth $2 million.
This fund will provide targeted assistance to elite African athletes as they prepare for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, reinforcing the continent’s commitment to nurturing talent and ensuring representation on the global stage.
