Brazil’s Ministry of Sport has announced that applications for the Bolsa Atleta programme for 2024 have reached a record 9,076 applications.

Brazil’s individual sports sponsorship programme, the largest in the world, is notable for its inclusion of pregnant women, women who have recently given birth, deaf athletes and assistants to Paralympic athletes.

The National Athlete category had the most applicants with 5,990 applicants. The International category came second (1,448), followed by Students (699), Olympic/Paralympic and Deaf athletes (534) and Grassroots athletes (405). The list includes 44.25 per cent women, 55.75 per cent men and 24 per cent people with disabilities,” the Sports Ministry’s press office said in a statement. The list of sponsored athletes is expected to be announced between 10 and 17 June. This is reported by Toda Palavra, a partner of TV BRICS.

In 2023, the Brazilian government-backed programme distributed R$120.5 million (US$23.67 million) to 8,057 athletes. This year, a record R$162 million (US$31.82 million) is expected to be invested.

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