IOC ends 130-year tradition, to pay all athletes competing at Olympics

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has shattered a 130-year tradition, announcing it will directly pay all eligible athletes competing at the Olympic Games with a $10,000 grant. This landmark decision, revealed on Wednesday at the 146th IOC Session in Lausanne, Switzerland, marks a significant shift in athlete welfare and recognition, moving beyond the long-held amateur ethos of the Games. Dubbed the 'Fit for the Future Olympian Grant,' this initiative will see the IOC allocate $140 million per four-year Olympiad, starting with athletes who competed in the recent 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, with payments expected to begin in 2027. The move comes amid increasing calls for direct financial support for Olympians, many of whom face significant economic challenges despite years of dedication. While IOC President Kirsty Coventry initially expressed reservations about 'prize money,' this grant is distinct, aimed at recognizing the athletes' journey and commitment, and will be distributed to every Olympian regardless of medal status, provided they uphold the Olympic Charter and clean sport. With applications for Milano Cortina athletes opening by late 2026, and an option for athletes to re-allocate their grants to support lower-income peers, this policy sets a new precedent for athlete empowerment. The broader implications for how National Olympic Committees and International Federations approach athlete compensation will be closely watched, as the Olympic movement continues its evolution in a rapidly professionalizing sports landscape.