The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has unveiled a landmark initiative that will see every athlete who competes at the Olympic Games receive a grant of USD 10,000 (approximately Sh1.29 million), regardless of whether they win a medal.
The programme, named the Fit for the Future Olympian Grant, was announced during the 146th IOC Session in Lausanne, Switzerland, by IOC Athletes' Commission Chair Pau Gasol.
It marks the first time in Olympic history that all Olympians will be eligible for direct financial support from the IOC. The grant is intended to help athletes either continue their sporting careers or transition more smoothly into life after competitive sport.
The first beneficiaries will be athletes competing at the 2026 Winter Olympics. The IOC has allocated USD 140 million (about KSh18.1 billion) to fund the initiative during each four-year Olympic cycle.
According to the IOC, around 14,000 athletes are expected to qualify for the grant in every Olympiad.
Payments will be made through National Olympic Committees (NOCs). Athletes who choose not to claim their grant will have the funds retained within the programme for future Olympians.
Speaking during the announcement, Gasol said the initiative recognises the commitment and sacrifices made by all Olympic athletes, not just those who reach the podium.
"This grant will be available to every Olympian. Not just medal winners. Not just athletes from certain countries. Every Olympian," he said.
IOC President Kirsty Coventry welcomed the initiative, saying athlete support beyond competition has long been a priority within the Olympic movement.
To qualify, athletes must be accredited for the Olympic Games starting with Milano Cortina 2026. However, those who have committed anti-doping violations, breached the IOC Code of Ethics, or violated the Olympic Charter will be ineligible. Athletes competing in the Youth Olympic Games are also excluded from the programme.
The IOC plans to open applications for athletes competing at Milano Cortina 2026 later this year, with the first grant payments expected to be made in 2027.
The initiative is expected to provide a major financial boost for Olympians worldwide, including Kenyan athletes, many of whom face the challenge of balancing elite sport with education, employment, and life after retirement.
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