TL:DR – Olympic athletes launch crowdfunding campaigns ahead of Milan-Cortina 2026
• This week, 19 elite winter sports athletes have turned to crowdfunding to reach the Milan-Cortina 2026 Games.
• Cormac Comerford, the first Irish male athlete in all four Alpine disciplines, raised over €3,000 for safety gear through GoFundMe.
• Valentina Aščić, Croatia’s short track skater, collected €7,000 towards tickets for her family to see her compete.
• Jamaica’s bobsleigh team is using GoFundMe to ensure its participation in the upcoming Games.
• Rémi Drolet, a Canadian cross-country skier, is seeking funds due to lack of government support, raising $13,530 to date.
• Laila Edwards, a US ice hockey player, has received over US$60,000 via GoFundMe for family support at the Olympics.
Priced out: Why are so many Winter Olympic athletes asking for financial support?
At least 19 athletes have turned to crowdfunding as they prepare for the winter sports events commencing this week in Milan, Italy. The financial assistance has become crucial for these athletes to cover basic necessities, including equipment, travel, and competition tickets.
The necessity for crowdfunding highlights the financial struggles many winter sports athletes face. According to reports, some athletes, like Cormac Comerford from Ireland, have raised significant funds for mandatory safety gear after stricter regulations were implemented.
Irish Athlete Cormac Comerford Raises Funds for Safety Gear
Cormac Comerford, the first Irish male athlete to compete in all four Alpine disciplines, has raised over €3,000 through GoFundMe to acquire required safety gear. The gear includes €500 cut-proof leggings and a €1,500 airbag system.
Croatian Skater Valentina Aščić Seeks Family Support
Croatia’s short track skater, Valentina Aščić, has also initiated a crowdfunding campaign to bring her family to the Olympic Games. She has raised €7,000 towards her goal of €8,000, emphasising the high cost of tickets, which she described as “extremely expensive,” reaching up to €450 per person for a single event.
Jamaica’s Bobsleigh Team Faces Financial Uncertainty
The iconic Jamaican bobsleigh team has launched a fundraising effort via GoFundMe to secure its presence at the Games. They highlighted the challenges of operating with limited resources, stating, “without real support, Jamaica’s bobsleigh program risks being priced out of the Games before we reach the start line in Milan–Cortina 2026.”
These fundraising efforts underscore the growing gap between the glamorous image of the Olympic Games and the stark financial realities faced by many athletes.
“