ARNHEM (ANP) – The distribution of top sports funds has expressly taken into account the chances of success at the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028. This was said by top sports director André Cats in an explanation of the allocation of the funds by NOC*NSF to the sports associations. The sports association sees a lot of potential in the rowers, sailors and athletes who were so successful in Paris, but also had to disappoint federations.
The contribution from the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport for 2025 will remain the same. The requested additional 20 million euros has not been forthcoming. “The amount we can award means a vulnerable start towards LA,” says Cats.
Athletics (2.3 million euros) and rowing (2.544 million) in particular receive a significantly higher contribution compared to last year. Sailing remains approximately the same: 2.275 million euros. With an allocation of 1.615 million euros, Judo loses 11 percent, but this does not seem to have fully compensated for an individual medal-less Games for the first time since 1984.
Sixteen top sports programs fewer
“We do not look at the past, but at the potential for 2028 and 2032. At the quality of the plans that were submitted. Of course there was excess demand from the unions. You disappoint more people with the distribution,” said Cats, who had bad news for the representatives of badminton and triathlon, among others. Like six other sports, they no longer belong to the associations supported by NOC*NSF with a top sports program. Cats: “We saw insufficient prospects in badminton. Opportunities in Los Angeles are decisive. In triathlon we only see opportunities in the team relay. That is still being financed.”
There are sixteen fewer top sports programs than at the start of the cycle towards Paris. However, seven sports disciplines (including women’s football, tennis and dressage) have been transferred to the new commercial sports category with a lower pledged amount. Cats: “Sports that can hold their own pants, but belong to Team NL.”
26.5 million
An amount of 26.5 million euros is available for all Olympic top sports and training programs (summer and winter) for 2025. This does not include the more than 7 million euros for the use of TeamNL Centers.
3×3 basketball was already a top sports program, but is now becoming a top sports and training program. Men’s handball was only training and is now becoming a top sport and training. Cats: “If, for example, a top player emerges in badminton, we can still support this through a named campaign.” This already applies to sports such as diving, synchronized swimming and triathlon.
