IBA President Endorses IOC Athlete Grant Initiative

The IOC’s funding commitment, spearheaded by President Kirsty Coventry, allocates $10,000 grants to athletes participating in the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games and the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Games. While Kremlev acknowledged the significant shift in policy, he challenged the governing body to increase its commitment tenfold to $1 billion by the 2028 Olympics to ensure comprehensive financial backing for participants.

Kremlev noted that the IBA was the first international federation to implement direct financial rewards for athletes, a precedent later adopted by World Athletics. For the IBA leadership, this development signals that governing bodies can no longer overlook the necessity of compensating the central stakeholders of the Games. The organization confirmed its intention to continue acting as a financial shield for boxers through the Los Angeles cycle, asserting that administrative structures must prioritize the individuals who generate the sport's global audience.