sports
IOC Scraps 130 Years of Tradition by Paying Athletes $10,000 at Olympics
Milan-Cortina Competitors Will Be First to Be Paid
TL;DR
- The IOC will pay every Olympian $10,000 regardless of their competitive status or background.
- This new policy begins with the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
- Around 14,000 athletes are eligible for the grant, costing the IOC an estimated $140m.
- Athletes will receive the money six months post-competition, provided they pass doping tests and follow the Olympic charter.
- Pau Gasol, head of the IOC's athletes' commission, emphasized that the grant is for every Olympian, acknowledging their sacrifices.
- NBA players are eligible for the grant, with suggestions for them to use it to support future athletes.
- This move signifies a major shift in IOC policy under leader Kirsty Coventry, aimed at keeping the Olympics at the forefront of global sport.
- Sebastian Coe praised the decision, noting a historic moment for the Olympic movement.