IOC to Provide Financial Grant to All Olympic Athletes, Breaks 130-Year Precedent

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced a historic change in its policy: from the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo onward, every athlete competing in the Games will receive a grant of USD 10,000. This marks the first time in the IOC's 130-year history that it will directly pay athletes for participation.

Dubbed the 'Fit for the Future Olympian Grant,' the initiative is backed by a dedicated fund of USD 100 million. Unlike prize money for medal winners, this grant is intended to support athletes' sporting careers or help them transition into new roles after their competitive days.

'This grant will be available to every Olympian,' said Pau Gasol, chair of the IOC's Athletes' Commission. '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.'

The decision ends a long-standing tradition where the IOC did not compensate athletes for appearing at the Games, although many national Olympic committees and governments provide financial support. The grant aims to acknowledge the financial burdens athletes face in training and competing at the highest level.

The IOC emphasised that the grant is not a salary or prize money but a gesture to recognise athletes' commitment. The move has been welcomed by many as a step toward greater equity in Olympic sports.