World Triathlon warmly welcomes the International Olympic Committee’s announcement of the ‘Fit for the Future’ Olympian Grant, a historic initiative that will provide USD 10,000 to every athlete who competes at the Olympic Games starting from Milano Cortina 2026. This landmark decision marks the first time in Olympic history that all Olympians — regardless of the sport they represent or the nation they come from — will receive direct financial recognition for reaching sport’s greatest stage.
The grant, announced by the IOC on 24 June 2025, is part of the Olympic Movement’s ongoing commitment to athlete wellbeing and represents a significant step forward in ensuring that the Olympic Games remain accessible, equitable and meaningful for athletes at every level of performance.
About 14,000 Olympians per Olympiad are expected to be eligible for a grant of USD 10,000 for each edition of the Olympic Games in which they compete. The grant will be delivered through existing National Olympic Committee (NOC) structures. If an Olympian chooses not to apply for this grant, their allocation will remain in the fund to benefit future Olympians. The grant will not decrease or detract from already existing support provided by the IOC to the NOCs, International Sports Federations (IFs), Organising Committees for the Olympic Games (OCOGs) or Olympic Solidarity.
A transformative moment for Triathlon
For triathlon and the wider multisport family, this announcement carries profound significance. The road to an Olympic Games demands years of sacrifice, extraordinary physical and mental commitment, and considerable personal investment. World Triathlon has long championed the welfare of its athletes, and this grant directly reinforces those values at the highest level.
Triathletes who qualify and compete at the Olympic Games will now receive direct financial support from the IOC, complementing the prize money, athlete support programmes, and National Federation funding that World Triathlon and its 173 National Federations work to provide.
This layered support structure will strengthen pathways for emerging athletes, and will recognise the journey and the commitment it takes to become an Olympian. It is about honouring every Olympian as part of our Olympic community. and reduce the financial barriers that prevent talented competitors from fulfilling their potential.
“This is a momentous day for the Olympic Movement and for every athlete who dedicates their life to our sports. The IOC’s ‘Fit for the Future’ Olympian Grant is a clear and powerful statement that the sacrifices made by our athletes are seen, valued and rewarded”, said World Triathlon’s President, Antonio F. Arimany..
“For World Triathlon, this grant will strengthen the future of our sport. It will support athletes from all corners of the world — including those from nations where institutional funding is limited — and send a clear message that reaching the Olympic Games has tangible, lasting value. We believe this initiative will inspire more young people to pursue triathlon, and we are proud to be part of an Olympic Movement that continues to evolve in the interests of its athletes.
World Triathlon fully endorses this initiative and looks forward to working with the IOC and our National Federations to ensure every eligible athlete is aware of and benefits from this historic opportunity,” he explained