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International Olympic Committee introduces $10,000 grants for all Olympic participants
26 Jun. 09:41The International Olympic Committee has approved a groundbreaking financial assistance initiative, establishing a fixed grant of $10,000 for every athlete competing in the Olympic Games. This newly developed funding structure is scheduled to be officially launched at the upcoming Winter Olympic Games, which will take place in Milan.
The historic announcement was delivered by Pau Gasol, the current head of the IOC Athletes' Commission, during the organization's general session held in Lausanne, Switzerland. Gasol noted that this marks a revolutionary shift in the history of the Olympic movement, as financial motivation is being extended to all qualifiers rather than being restricted to podium finishers.
The underlying philosophy of this financial reform is to provide comprehensive support across the global athletic community, recognizing the immense effort required simply to qualify for the event. The governing body believes that implementing this direct financial aid will successfully strengthen the international sports movement and lower financial barriers for self-funded competitors.
However, the IOC has specified that eligibility for the monetary distribution is strictly dependent on maintaining impeccable behavioral and legal standards. The funds will be granted only to those Olympians who fully comply with anti-doping regulations, maintain adherence to the IOC Code of Ethics, and strictly follow the foundational principles of the Olympic Charter.
The football used to score one of the most controversial goals in sports history, known as the "Hand of God," has found a new owner at an auction in the United States. The legendary souvenir used by Diego Maradona was sold by Heritage Auctions for $3.3 million. However, the final price fell significantly short of initial expectations, which had estimated its value at around $10 million.
The historic event took place on June 22, 1986, during the World Cup quarter-final match between Argentina and England. The Argentine striker directed the ball into the opponent's net with his hand, but main referee Ali Bin Nasser misjudged the action as a header and officially allowed the goal.
Following the match, Maradona offered a famous explanation regarding the questionable incident. He stated that the goal was scored "a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God." Since then, the object has been considered one of the most significant pieces of memorabilia in football history.
The Adidas Azteca ball was kept in the personal collection of referee Ali Bin Nasser for more than three decades. In 2022, the former official sold it for $2.37 million. Although a subsequent attempt to auction the item a year later failed due to a lack of buyer interest, the iconic football has now successfully changed hands once again.
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