Among the many tools available to support athletes on their Olympic journey, the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) Olympic Solidarity program has proven vital to many, with Olympic icons such as Usain Bolt, Chad Le Clos, Yulimar Rojas and triathlete Flora Duffy benefiting from the program, while a new generation of triathletes are similarly using it to advance their Paris 2024 hopes.
Olympic Solidarity covers a total of 26 sports and supports athletes from 159 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) through monthly grants that can cover travel, competition participation and training-related expenses. Through the Solidarity programme, the IOC strives to ensure that athletes from all backgrounds have the opportunity to participate in Olympic sports, thereby strengthening the IOC's commitment to inclusivity and diversity in the Olympic sports.
So it may come as no surprise that the three who have earned universal berths in this summer's Olympic triathlon competition are supported by the Solidarity program. Edda Hannesdottir (Iceland) is the only woman to earn a universal berth in triathlon and will be Iceland's first Olympic representative in the event. On the men's side, Eloy Ajavon (Togo) and Tyler Smith (Bahrain) have also received Olympic invitations. Eloy will be Togo's first Olympic triathlete, leading to an expansion of the event designed by the universal system, while Smith will be part of Bermuda's three-man triathlon team. Reigning Olympic champion Flora Duffy will remain in the Solidarity program, as will fellow Olympic-qualified Erica Hawley.
Other Paris 2024 scholarship recipients include Manami Iijima (Guam) and Matthew Wright (Bahrain). Iijima qualified for Paris as the first ever recipient of the women's Oceania New Flag spot, while Wright won the men's Americas New Flag spot. Additionally, Diego Moya (Chile) has qualified for his second Olympic Games through his Olympic rankings.
Several more triathletes are supported by the Solidarity programme, but narrowly missed out on qualifying for Paris. Oscar Coggins (Hong Kong) qualified for the Men's Asian New Flags, beating out compatriot Jason Tai Lung Ng (Hong Kong), showing the depth of Hong Kong triathletes. Paula Vega (Colombia) and Bob Haller (Luxembourg) also missed out on qualifying for the Americas and European New Flags races respectively.
Other scholarship recipients include Andy Kuipers (ZIM), who won silver at the African Championships earlier this year, Julie Staub (MRI), Josette Chiare (KEN) and Hanani Uwineza (RWA). Ongoing support from the IOC's Solidarity programme will enable these athletes, and many more, to progress towards Olympic qualification in 2028.
