Source: Airbnb

Key Takeaways

  • Airbnb continues its commitment to athlete support and doubles the number of available grants for 2023
  • In 2022, 1 Million USD was distributed to 500 Olympic and Paralympic athletes around the world.
  • For this year’s edition leading to the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024 and Milano Cortina 2026, up to 1000 Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls will receive a $2,000 USD travel grant to use for training, qualification, and other accommodation needs. Applications open on April 25 on Athlete365.

Today, Airbnb announced the third edition of the Airbnb Athlete Travel Grant, in partnership with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).

The Airbnb Athlete Travel Grant, which was launched in 2021, offered up to 500 athletes a year $2,000 USD travel grant to use exclusively on airbnb.com as they travel, train and compete.

In 2022, applications from athletes more than doubled and 1 Million dollars was distributed to 500 Olympic and Paralympic athletes from around the world.

On the road to Paris 2024 and as part of our continued commitment to athletes within the Olympic and Paralympic Movement, we are excited to share that the Travel Grant will be extended to up to 1000 athletes this year. This programme represents over $8 million in direct support for athletes across the life of the partnership.

Supporting athletes lies at the heart of our partnership, whether through valuable programmes that offer economic support where needed, through our incredible Host community that provides athletes with stays and experiences, or through the economic empowerment offered to the many athletes who are Hosts on Airbnb themselves. We are proud to continue our commitment with the IOC and IPC to continue finding ways to support athletes as they pursue their dreams. Emmanuel Marill, Airbnb Regional Manager for EMEA

All Olympic & Paralympic sports represented in 2022 submissions

In 2022, 500 athletes representing 213 countries and 62 sports (Olympic & Paralympic) benefited from the Airbnb Athlete Travel Grant programme. Among the programme recipients, 60% of them self-identify as women.

Beyond the direct financial benefit of the Airbnb Athlete Travel Grant, many athletes voiced how it helped them to be more competitive in their sport such as Pauline Ado, professional surfer:

In my sport, travel expenses for competitions are covered by the athletes. The Airbnb [Athlete Travel] Grant really helped me to compete in multiple events including recently in Morocco where I finished on the second step of the podium. Airbnb homes bring many benefits while I compete as I can enjoy the comfort of a home and a kitchen to follow my specific diet, it also has more space for my equipment and allows me to be closer to my competition venues! Pauline Ado, 2017 ISA World Champion and seven-time WSL European Champion

For Wheelchair fencing athlete Ludovic Lemoine, support for accommodations during competitions is key. His Airbnb Athlete Travel Grant took the pressure off travel logistics and gave him the opportunity to bring his mental trainer and family along, allowing to be in both great physical and mental conditions for his competition.

For me, the road to Paris 2024 started in November 2022 with the selection process and I can’t afford to miss any competition. As I have to cover all accommodation costs, having this grant allows me to fully live the competitions and to participate in the athletes group life, at costs that are lower than the official hotel option. If it wasn’t for the grant I wouldn’t have been able to attend the first qualification event for Paris 2024 in Hungary – where I won the individual saber Championship bronze medal. Ludovic Lemoine, Wheelchair fencing French athlete

How to apply

Applications open on April 25, 2023 at 12:00am PDT on olympics.com/athlete365/airbnb-athlete-travel-grant for eligible athletes and will close on May 25, 2023 at 11:59 am PDT. The Airbnb Athlete Travel Grant can only be used towards Stays in association with training, medical, or competition-related travel, and is not intended for non-sports-related personal use. To learn more about how the Airbnb Athlete Travel Grant works and the terms that apply, visit the dedicated page on Athlete365 and the Athlete Travel Grant Terms and Conditions.

About Airbnb

Airbnb was born in 2007 when two Hosts welcomed three guests to their San Francisco home, and has since grown to over 5 million Hosts who have welcomed over 1.5 billion guest arrivals in almost every country across the globe. Every day, Hosts offer unique stays and experiences that make it possible for guests to connect with communities in a more authentic way.

About Airbnb.org

Airbnb.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to facilitating temporary stays for people in times of crisis around the world. Airbnb.org operates independently and leverages Airbnb, Inc.'s technology, services, and other resources at no charge to carry out Airbnb.org's charitable purpose. The inspiration for Airbnb.org began in 2012 with a single host named Shell who opened up her home to people impacted by Hurricane Sandy. This sparked a movement and marked the beginning of a program that allows Hosts on Airbnb to provide stays for people in times of need. Since then, the program has evolved to focus on emergency response and to help provide stays to evacuees, relief workers, refugees, asylum seekers, and frontline workers fighting the spread of COVID-19. Since then, Hosts have offered to open up their homes and helped provide accommodations to 100,000 people in times of need. Airbnb.org is a separate and independent entity from Airbnb, Inc. Airbnb, Inc. does not charge service fees for Airbnb.org supported stays on its platform.

Airbnb Press
Airbnb Press Office
Airbnb