The government agreed this Tuesday to authorize the Supreme Sports Council (CSD) to convene in 2023. It provides 19 million euros in support for the social protection of senior athletes and assistance for competitors representing Spain in international events (DAN) and Spain itself.
The total package includes 3 million euros to cover social security contributions that will be paid by DAN, recognized by the CSD, in 2023 as approved by the Council of Ministers at its Tuesday meeting.
There are 12 million euros earmarked for scholarships awarded to athletes and their coaches under the CSD Team Spain Scholarships program, the successor to the former ADO scholarships. In addition, the CSD allocates 4 million euros for sports results achieved in 2022 at international competitions.
In all cases, the Spanish sports federations will drive this investment through the commercialization of audiovisual rights for men’s professional football competitions.
For CSD president Víctor Francos, this new financial injection is another sign of the clear and firm support from the Spanish government for sport and, above all, for Spanish athletes.
He noted that the objective is to make the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games a turning point for Spanish sport, and he stressed that the athletes will be the ones to achieve it. Every effort seems minor when it comes to empowering athletes, Francos said.
Applications for these grants must be submitted within twenty working days from the day after the decision calling for the MFD is published in the Official State Gazette (BOE).
Historic support to prepare for Paris 2024
The approval of these new aids came last week when the Council of Ministers gave the green light to the 2023 call for 17 million euros in aid to federations for Team Spain programs.
These programs aim to intensify Olympic and Paralympic preparation for Paris 2024 and to support additional strategic sports and specialties that project Spain’s image globally. The CSD will allocate a total of 48 million euros for Team Spain sports programs across the Olympic and Paralympic cycle.
Additionally, a cooperation agreement was signed last week among the CSD, the Spanish Olympic Committee (COE) and RTVE to develop the ADO Program and modernize this support scheme for Olympic preparation through public-private partnerships.
In 2023, the CSD will carry out scholarships formerly known as ADO through the Team Spain Scholarships program with a value of 12 million euros. Alongside this, other government initiatives during this legislative period include a multi-year budget for federations totaling 187 million euros for 2022, 2023 and 2024 to ensure financial stability and continuity of sport programs throughout the Olympic and Paralympic cycle.
The modernization of sports facilities is also covered by the state budget. The Healing, Transformation and Resilience Plan includes renewing the CSD High Performance Centers to keep facilities up to date and capable of supporting elite athletes.