World Athletics Launches $500,000 Fund to Aid Athletes Impacted by Pandemic

World Athletics created, on Tuesday, April 28, a $500,000 fund that will be used to help the many athletes who have lost the majority of their income due to the suspension of sports because of the pandemic.

The President of the WA (former International Association of Athletics Federations) welcomed this proposal from Hicham El Guerrouj. In fact, Sébastien Coe will chair a meeting this week with a multi-regional group of expert working groups, in order to establish a plan for the allocation and distribution of grants to athletes on the one hand, and to examine other ways to feed the support fund on the other.

"The idea of creating this fund came about due to the exceptional and difficult situation the world is going through due to the spread of COVID-19, the effects of which are being felt in all sports disciplines," explained the Moroccan athlete to MAP. According to El Guerrouj, it is a necessary "solidarity initiative" in these times of COVID-19.