The International Olympic Committee has approved a new financial support program for athletes participating in the Olympic Games. The initiative was announced during the opening session of the committee’s annual meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Under the new plan, every athlete who competes at the Olympics will be eligible for a grant of $10,000. The Olympic Committee said the program is designed to support athletes beyond their participation in the Games and recognize their contribution to the Olympic movement.
According to the Olympic Committee, the initiative will create a fund worth approximately $140 million during each four-year Olympic cycle. The grant will be available to all Olympians regardless of their nationality, sport, or final ranking in competition.
Pau Gasol, chairman of the Athletes’ Commission and a former Spanish basketball star, said every athlete who takes part in the Olympic Games will qualify for the grant. He explained that the program recognizes the value of representing a country and competing at the highest level of international sport.
Officials emphasized that the payment should not be considered prize money. Instead, the grant is intended as financial support for athletes after their Olympic participation. The committee said Paralympic athletes will not be included in the current program.
Athletes who competed at the Milan-Cortina Winter Games will be able to apply once the application process becomes available. Further details regarding eligibility and distribution are expected to be released in the coming months.
The announcement comes as the Olympic Committee faces increasing pressure to provide direct financial benefits to athletes. Many former athletes and sports organizations have argued that competitors should receive a greater share of the value generated by the Olympic Games.
IOC President Kirsty Coventry said the grant would not reduce the funding already distributed to National Olympic Committees or international sports federations. She described the amount as a practical sum that could help athletes begin a project, continue education, or support future plans.
The debate over athlete compensation has grown in recent years. In 2024, World Athletics introduced prize money for Olympic gold medal winners in track and field events. That decision marked a significant shift in the traditional approach to Olympic rewards.
During the same session, the Olympic Committee also approved amendments to the Olympic Charter. One of the changes strengthens the organization’s commitment to political neutrality. The updated language states that the IOC must remain free from governmental, cultural, social, and economic pressure.
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The latest decisions highlight the Olympic Committee’s efforts to adapt to changing expectations while maintaining its long-standing principles. The new athlete grant program is expected to become one of the most significant reforms introduced by the organization in recent years.
