Airbnb opens applications for the 2022 Airbnb Athlete Travel Grant

Today, Airbnb is opening applications for the next edition of the Airbnb Athlete Travel Grant, in partnership with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). The program, which was launched in 2021, offers up to 500 athletes a year $2,000 USD  travel grant to use exclusively on airbnb.com as they travel, train and compete and will run through 2028, representing $8 million in direct support for athletes across the life of the partnership. 

As a proud Olympic and Paralympic TOP Partner, Airbnb recognizes the importance of feeling at home while training and competing on the road, and that doing so often requires extra financial support. In 2021, 500 athletes representing 125 countries and 63 sports benefitted from the Airbnb Athlete Travel Grant program.

These athletes used the grants to book stays to train and compete that met their unique needs and gave them all the comforts of home. Their experiences highlight how a little extra financial support can go a long way in helping them reach their dreams:

Canoe sprint athlete Saied Fazloula represented the IOC Refugee Olympic Team at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, and leading up to the Games used his Airbnb Athlete Travel Grant to help him prepare for the biggest moment of his sporting career.

I used my Airbnb Athlete Travel Grant for multiple trips before the Olympic Games in Tokyo, including for a training camp and other competitions. It’s incredibly valuable to have this support as a refugee – Airbnb has provided not only a grant, but also a clear head so that I can concentrate on my sport

Saied Fazloula, Olympian

For Belgian para triathlete Nicolas Dewalque, choosing accommodation for competitions can be complex, with considerations around where his guide will stay as well as price and transport to the venue. His Airbnb Athlete Travel Grant gave him the flexibility to book accommodations that worked for him, and took the pressure off travel logistics.

Accommodation is one of the big considerations when I’m deciding whether to attend a race. Having this grant means I can just focus on the racing and it removes a huge part of the travel organization stress…. After all, you never know what an event may bring you. If it wasn’t for the grant I wouldn’t have been able to race in Spain – and I wouldn’t have that World Championship bronze medal

Nicolas Dewalque, Paralympian

Mixed doubles partners, and husband and wife, Zuzana Paulová and Tomas Paul made history at the Olympic Games Beijing 2022 as the Czech Republic’s first-ever Olympic curling team. Their grant allowed them to book the ideal accommodations throughout their journey to the Games. 

We always travel as a team with our coaches and want to stay at the same accommodation. That is why we love staying at local Airbnbs where you have multiple bedrooms and your own kitchen. During our stays, we also have the chance to chat with owners and introduce them to our sport and the curling community

Zuzana Paulová, Olympian

Applications open on April 25, 2022 at 12:00am PDT on www.airbnb.com/athletetravelgrant for eligible athletes and will close on May 20, 2022 at 1:59 pm 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 additional terms that apply, see the Airbnb Athlete Travel Grant FAQs. Terms and conditions apply.

Combined with the Airbnb500 program, the Airbnb Athlete Travel Grant is part of Airbnb and the IOC’s joint effort to support athletes in their Olympic and/or Paralympic pursuits. In addition to the Airbnb Athlete Travel Grant, Airbnb500 provides a $500 USD travel grant that all competing athletes can use at their discretion for relaxing and recuperating, exploring a new destination, or training.  In 2021, more than 9,000 athletes benefited from both Airbnb athlete support programs, representing more than $4 million in direct support for athletes in only one year.