Airbnb launches Athlete Travel Grant initiative for Olympians and Paralympians


Airbnb launches Athlete Travel Grant initiative for Olympians and Paralympians

Olympics sponsor Airbnb

Worldwide Olympic Partner Airbnb has announced the launch of a new initiative, Athlete Travel Grant. Under the new initiative, Airbnb will provide up to 500 Olympians and Paralympians accommodation credits worth $2,000 each year for the next eight years. The credits will be used for travel-related accommodation costs linked to their sporting careers.

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Athletes will be able to apply for the grant for 2021 up to May 14th by filling out an online application and making a personal statement. A selection procedure, yet to be locked on, will be used to determine 500 recipients each year based on the personal statement provided.

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The athletes are the heart of the Olympic Movement, and we work with all stakeholders to support them at every stage of their career. In addition to the funding and programmes provided thanks to the overall Worldwide TOP Programme and Olympic Solidarity, we have been working with TOP Partners to develop innovative programmes to support athletes.

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We are very proud that, together with Airbnb, we have developed the Olympian and Paralympian Experiences programme and now the new Travel Grants. Through these two initiatives, athletes have the opportunity to create their own revenue streams and directly benefit from Airbnb’s partnership with the Olympic Movement,” Kirsty Coventry, the Chairperson of the IOC Athletes’ Commission said.

“Airbnb’s work with the IOC is focused on dedicated support for individual athletes,” Catherine Powell

IOC
IOC

This is not the first time Airbnb has come up with an initiative for the athletes. As part of the IOC’s partnership the Olympian and Paralympian Experiences program, launched in 2020, was the first to be launched. The initiative provided direct earning opportunities for athletes and brought them closer to fans than ever before.

The IOC and Airbnb signed a nine-year, five-Games partnership in 2019. All of the joint initiatives launched by IOC and Airbnb are in line with the new Olympic Agenda 2020+5 recommendations. Till date, Airbnb and the IOC have allocated a total of USD 40 million to direct support for athletes.

Our work with the International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee is focused on dedicated support for individual athletes, who are at the centre of the Olympic and Paralympic Movement,” said Airbnb Head of Hosting, Catherine Powell.

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With thousands of athletes already using Airbnb for travel needs related to training, qualification and competition, this new programme will provide much-needed additional economic support.

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