Lausanne, Switzerland, July 22, 2026: As the countdown to the LA28 Olympic Games reaches two years to go, 1,516 athletes from 176 National Olympic Committees across 39 disciplines are currently receiving Olympic Solidarity scholarships to support their journey to the Games.
Through monthly grants that contribute to their training and participation in qualification competitions, the IOC’s Olympic Solidarity programme is helping athletes from every corner of the world pursue their Olympic dreams. The number comprises 715 women and 801 men.
At Paris 2024, 604 Olympic Solidarity scholarship-holders from 171 NOCs won 75 medals (26 gold, 20 silver and 29 bronze) across 24 sports.
Olympic Solidarity is investing USD 71 million to support athletes on their journey to the Olympic Winter and Summer Games during the 2025-2028 Olympic cycle.
For most athletes, Olympic Solidarity scholarships take the form of monthly grants that support training and qualification efforts, helping cover costs such as equipment, travel and participation in qualification competitions.
For Lao rhythmic gymnast Praewa Misato Philaphandeth, the support is helping her pursue her Olympic ambitions while easing the financial burden on her family.
“This scholarship supports me a lot as it helps me cover the costs of training, competition and physiotherapy,” she told Olympics.com.
“I'm proud to say that I am on an Olympic scholarship. I hope that this will inspire the next generation of Lao gymnasts.”
*The programme’s impact stretches far beyond a single Olympic cycle. Since the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, the IOC has invested more than USD 260 million in the Olympic Solidarity scholarship programme, helping more than 12,000 athletes prepare for the Games.
*For the 2025-2028 Olympic cycle alone, a total of USD 71 million is being invested through Olympic Solidarity to support athletes on their journey to the Olympic Winter and Summer Games.
