{"text":[[{"start":6.55,"text":"The Olympics’ governing body has created a $140mn fund to pay grants to every participant of its Summer and Winter Games for the first time in its 132-year history."}],[{"start":17.95,"text":"The International Olympic Committee said on Wednesday that all competitors would be eligible for the $10,000 grant if they had not breached antidoping rules or violated the IOC ethical codes, its conditions of participation or the Olympic Charter."}],[{"start":33.05,"text":"The decision marks another major departure for the IOC, which was founded in 1894 with a mission to promote an amateur ethos in sport and only allowed professional athletes to compete in the 1988 Games. The move is a crucial pillar of its “Fit for the Future” plans under the leadership of Kirsty Coventry, who was elected last year to succeed Thomas Bach as president of the IOC."}],[{"start":56.55,"text":"“It has been a topic of conversation for many years, and I am extremely proud that we are now able to do this,” the Zimbabwean former Olympic swimmer said."}],[{"start":65.45,"text":"Olympians who took part in the Milan-Cortina Winter Games in February will be the first to benefit from the grants. A $140mn fund will be set up to cover each “Olympiad”, which covers the Summer and Winter Games over a four-year period. "}],[{"start":80.85000000000001,"text":"Pau Gasol, chair of the IOC’s athletes’ commission, said: “This grant will be available to every Olympian. Not just medal winners. Not just athletes from certain countries. Because, while every athlete’s journey is different, every Olympian has made sacrifices to reach the Olympic stage.”"}],[{"start":98.9,"text":"Gasol, a former professional basketball player who represented Spain five times at the Olympics, said the grants were not “not prize money” but “about recognising the journey and the commitment it takes to become an Olympian”. "}],[{"start":112.80000000000001,"text":"The grant will not be classed as a salary, nor will the IOC distribute the grant to athletes directly. Instead, the money will flow through existing National Olympic Committees."}],[{"start":123.75000000000001,"text":"The grants are designed for full Olympians. Athletes aged 15 to 18 who participate in the Youth Olympic Games will not be eligible."}],[{"start":132.8,"text":"The decision marks another big shift in how athletes are rewarded for their efforts. "}],[{"start":137.70000000000002,"text":"In 2024, World Athletics became the first sports federation to pay out prize money at the Olympics. Track and field athletes earned $50,000 each for gold medals at the Summer Games in Paris that year. The athletics body also intends to extend prize money to silver and bronze medallists at the next Summer Games in Los Angeles in 2028."}],[{"start":159.45000000000002,"text":"Athletes typically rely on sponsorship and funding from national Olympic committees or government bodies."}],[{"start":165.95000000000002,"text":"The IOC’s existing Olympic Solidarity fund focuses on athletes with “the greatest need for it”, whereas the grants outlined on Wednesday are available to all Olympians who apply and meet the criteria."}],[{"start":179.00000000000003,"text":"Separately, the IOC set a target date of mid-2029 to select the host of the 2036 Summer Games, which will follow Brisbane in 2032."}],[{"start":196.60000000000005,"text":""}]],"url":"https://audio.ftcn.net.cn/album/a_1782374934_1064.mp3"}