The IOC scholarship programme helps athletes from developing nations compete and win at the Winter Games.
Milano | Sayer Zaland
Athletes supported by the International Olympic Committee’s Olympic Solidarity programme are making a strong impact at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, with scholarship-holders winning seven medals at the halfway stage of the competition.
Among them are Mexican figure skater Donovan Carrillo and Madagascar’s Alpine skier Mialitiana Clerc, both of whom credit Olympic Solidarity support as crucial to their Olympic journeys. A total of 249 athletes from 74 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) competing at Milano Cortina 2026 received Olympic Solidarity scholarships during the qualification period.
Carrillo, competing at his second Winter Olympics, finished 22nd in the men’s figure skating event after delivering one of the strongest free skates of his career. He described the scholarship as “a game changer,” enabling him to train in Toronto under world-class conditions after limited facilities in Mexico forced him to practise at public rinks.
Clerc is set to make history by becoming the first African woman to compete at three Olympic Winter Games. Born in Madagascar and raised in France, she says the scholarship has allowed her to travel extensively for training and competition, helping her reach the highest level of Alpine skiing.
As of day eight of the Games, Olympic Solidarity scholarship-holders have claimed two gold medals, one silver, four bronze, and 22 Olympic diplomas. The programme supported 449 athletes from 90 NOCs across six sports during the Milano Cortina 2026 qualification cycle, underlining its role in expanding global access to elite sport.