The International Paralympic Committee said Thursday it will provide an unprecedented grant package worth 1.8 million euros ($2.2 million) to over 200 member organizations to help make up for financial damage from the coronavirus pandemic.
The IPC said the grant package, the largest of its kind in the organization's history, will be awarded by February to help athletes prepare for the Tokyo Games, which were postponed for a year to next summer, as well as for athlete license fees, para sport development, training and education.
"This is the IPC's biggest ever one-off investment into its members at a time when they need it the most," IPC President Andrew Parsons said in a statement.
The financial support will be given to the National Paralympic Committees and International Federations, among other organizations, according to the IPC. The IPC's members can apply for the 2021 grants between Dec. 3 and 30.
The announcement was made on the annual U.N. International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which is aimed at promoting the full and equal participation of persons with disabilities.
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