The world governing body has decided to give out relief funds to athletes during this COVID-19 pandemic but not everyone is actually entitled.
Conditions stipulated are as follows
The Fund will support athletes who have met the Tokyo Olympic Games entry standard and will provide welfare grants to be used to cover basic living expenses. The level of grant will be dependent on the number of approved applications and up to a maximum of US$4000. It is anticipated that the grants will be distributed directly to athletes from June.
Only athletes who have been impacted financially to the extent that they are unable to maintain their basic standard of living should apply. All applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:
Must be qualified (by meeting the entry standard) for selection for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games
Must have never had an anti-doping rule violation
Must be able to demonstrate a justifiable welfare need through significant loss of income in 2020 compared to 2019.
To help ensure the fund goes to those most in need, please note the following athletes will not be eligible to apply:
Those ranked in the Top 6 in their event in the World Athletics World Rankings
Those who have finished in the Top 6 positions of any Gold Label Road Race in 2019
Those who have earned more than USD 6,000 in prize money from the Diamond League in 2019
Athletes who, throughout the covid-19 pandemic, continue to receive an annual grant from their Government, National Olympic Committee, Member Federation or sponsors are not expected to apply unless they can demonstrate a justifiable welfare need as detailed above.
