The Solidarity Fund established by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for the Ukrainian Olympic Community and sports movement has received so far over US$2 million, the IOC said. This fund was made up of an initial donation of $1 million from the IOC and Olympic Solidarity, followed by a further donation of $500,000 from the European Olympic Committees and other contributions from Olympic Movement stakeholders. Ukrainian athletes continue to train, despite the challenging conditions determined by the war. The objective of the Fund is to maintain the level of Ukrainian sport by meeting the immediate needs of the Ukrainian elite and high-level athletes and to cover their participation in training camps at home and abroad.
Upon request by the IOC president, Thomas Bach, a small task force has been created for the allocation process and distribution of the Solidarity Fund. The task force is led by IOC member Sergii Bubka, the president of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine. More than 50 National Olympic Committees and International Federations have already contacted the IOC to offer support, with Bubka and his task force working to ensure that the largest possible number of opportunities can be taken advantage of by the Ukrainian Olympic Community at large. Measures have already been undertaken for specific actions such as the evacuation of athletes, coaches, and family members from dangerous areas of military escalation or the provision of shelter and corresponding services like transport, logistics, accommodation, and nutrition.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates that four million Ukrainians – 90 percent women and children – have fled the country since the beginning of the conflict. These add to 6.5 million people who have been internally displaced within Ukraine.
