The Association of Portuguese-Speaking National Olympic Committees (ACOLOP) welcomes the announcement by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) regarding the creation of the Fit for the Future Olympian Grant, a new scheme that will provide financial support of 10,000 dollars (USD) to all athletes taking part in the Olympic Games, starting with the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games.
This decision marks a historic milestone for the Olympic Movement, recognising that the value of an Olympic athlete extends far beyond winning medals. For the first time, all Olympians will benefit from support that recognises the years of dedication, discipline, resilience and commitment required to reach the world’s biggest sporting stage.
For ACOLOP, this measure represents a significant step forward in supporting athletes from Portuguese-speaking countries, many of whom face significant challenges in accessing financial resources, infrastructure and opportunities for sports training. The new programme reinforces the Olympic Movement’s commitment to a more inclusive, equitable and athlete-centred approach.
As a network that promotes cooperation amongst the National Olympic Committees of Portuguese-speaking countries, ACOLOP believes that this initiative will help to strengthen the sustainability of sporting careers and facilitate athletes’ transition to new professional and personal challenges after their competitive careers.
This announcement is fully in line with ACOLOP’s mission to create synergies amongst its members for the development of the Olympic movement, solidarity and the empowerment of athletes, by promoting a common agenda that places people at the heart of sporting development.
ACOLOP will continue to work closely with its member National Olympic Committees to maximise the impact of this and other initiatives by the International Olympic Committee, thereby contributing to a stronger, more inclusive and more sustainable Olympic ecosystem across the entire Portuguese-speaking community.
