The 2021 Summer Olympics will cost the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Solidarity Fund office in excess of $10 million as countries readjust their budgets following the postponement of the Tokyo Games.
The Olympic Solidarity Programme is usually awarded to all the participating National Olympics bodies to help prepare the teams for the biggest multi-sporting championship in the world.
The fund was increased from $47 million to $57 million, and is available for all the 206 National Olympic bodies and the Refugee Teams.
Olympic Games were moved from June 2020 to the next Summer following the outbreak of the COVID -19.
Japan’s capital, Tokyo, will remain the host city.
Following the rescheduling of the calendar, IOC will not advance $25 million to cover the preparation costs for extra athletes and teams and an extra $15 million will be channeled to support the 185 National Olympic bodies to adequately prepare for the event.
Kenya is among the countries that have made it clear that they will be requesting for extra funding from the $10 million budget available for National Olympic bodies to cover additional operation costs like accommodation and travel.
“We welcome IOC consideration, it will go a long way in helping us prepare,” NOCK Secretary-General Francis Mutuku said,
“We will apply for the funds,” he confirmed.
Usually, a country like Kenya, a dominant figure in the long-distance races, takes about eight months to prepare the teams for the Olympics
“This is the longest time we will have a team prepare for the Olympics. Normally, we have six to eight months. Definitely, the expenses will be more,” he said in a statement, adding that priority will be given to teams like the women’s volleyball, rugby, and boxers who had already qualified for Tokyo.
The funds will be available to NOC’s based on their application
