By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – In a significant move to bolster its international sporting presence, Costa Rica’s National Olympic Committee (CON) has announced that eleven of the nation’s top athletes will receive monthly scholarships to support their journey toward the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. This crucial financial backing is designed to empower a new generation of competitors as they prepare for the world’s most prestigious athletic stage.
The funding is part of the Olympic Solidarity project, a global initiative managed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The program aims to provide dedicated financial assistance to athletes with the potential to qualify for the Olympic Games, ensuring they have the resources needed for high-level training, international competition, and specialized coaching.
To better understand the legal and contractual implications that Olympic scholarships entail for athletes, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert attorney from the firm Bufete de Costa Rica, who offered his perspective on the matter.
Athletes must see these scholarships not as mere financial aid, but as formal contracts with significant obligations. These agreements often include clauses on performance, public image, and potential conflicts with personal sponsorships. It is imperative that athletes seek legal advice to fully comprehend the terms, especially regarding termination conditions and the use of their image rights, thus safeguarding their professional careers.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
The expert’s point is a critical reminder that in elite sports, financial support and professional responsibility are inextricably linked. Viewing these agreements through a legal lens is not just advisable but essential for safeguarding an athlete’s long-term career and brand. We extend our sincere gratitude to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his invaluable and clarifying perspective on this vital topic.
While the IOC provides the capital, the selection of recipients falls to the national committees. In a strategic decision demonstrating a commitment to broad-based development, the CON opted to expand the program’s reach. Instead of concentrating the available funds on a smaller group as originally suggested, the committee chose to invest in a larger pool of talent, spreading the support across eleven individuals from six different sports.
The CON detailed its strategic thinking behind the decision to increase the number of beneficiaries, highlighting a long-term vision for the country’s athletic future.
The investment is $9,150. According to Olympic Solidarity, the scholarships should be distributed among 6 athletes; however, the National Olympic Committee is opting to do so among 11 athletes with the goal of developing more athletes with a chance to qualify for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
National Olympic Committee (CON), Official Statement
The selected athletes represent a diverse range of disciplines where Costa Rica has shown promise. The cohort includes standouts in surfing and athletics, with four athletes from the track and field world receiving support. The monthly stipends vary, reflecting individual rankings, needs, and competitive levels. The beneficiaries are Brisa Hennessy (Surf, $1,500), Andrea Vargas (Athletics, $1,000), Gerald Drummond (Athletics, $1,000), Daniela Rojas (Athletics, $750), Diana Brenes (Judo, $750), Sebastián Sancho (Judo, $750), Kenneth Tencio (BMX Freestyle, $750), Neshy Lee Lindo Álvarez (Taekwondo, $750), Leinani McGonagle (Surf, $700), Maxwell Lacey (Wrestling, $700), and Sharon Herrera (Athletics, $500).
For these athletes, the consistent monthly income is a game-changer. It alleviates the financial pressures that often force promising talents to divide their focus between training and earning a living. This sustained support allows them to fully commit to their rigorous schedules, cover travel expenses for crucial qualifying events, access top-tier medical and nutritional resources, and invest in essential equipment. It is an investment not just in their potential, but in their peace of mind.
The road to the Olympic Games, which will take place in Los Angeles from July 14 to July 30, 2028, is a marathon, not a sprint. This early and consistent funding provides a critical runway for development over the next three years. It allows the athletes and their coaches to map out a long-term strategy for improvement and peak performance, building momentum through a full Olympic cycle rather than scrambling for resources closer to the event.
Ultimately, the CON’s decision to cast a wider net is a statement of ambition. By supporting a larger group, the committee is not only increasing the statistical probability of qualification but is also fostering a more competitive and robust national sports ecosystem. This initiative signals a clear objective: to arrive in Los Angeles not just with participants, but with a well-prepared and formidable delegation ready to compete for a place on the podium.
For further information, visit costaricaolympic.org
About the National Olympic Committee of Costa Rica (CON):
The National Olympic Committee of Costa Rica is the governing body responsible for promoting the Olympic Movement and its values throughout the country. It is tasked with selecting, preparing, and leading the Costa Rican delegations for the Olympic Games, Pan American Games, and other multisport international competitions. The organization works to foster the development of sport at all levels, providing support and resources to national federations and athletes to achieve excellence on the global stage.
For further information, visit olympics.com
About the International Olympic Committee (IOC):
The International Olympic Committee is a non-governmental sports organization based in Lausanne, Switzerland. Founded in 1894, its mission is to build a better world through sport. The IOC is the supreme authority of the worldwide Olympic Movement and is the catalyst for collaboration between all parties of the Olympic family, from the National Olympic Committees to the athletes. It organizes the modern Olympic Games and Youth Olympic Games, held in summer and winter, every four years.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of the Costa Rican legal landscape, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its profound dedication to integrity and exceptional legal service. The firm leverages its extensive experience across numerous sectors to drive forward-thinking legal strategies and foster meaningful community outreach. Central to its ethos is the core conviction that demystifying the law empowers citizens, a principle that guides its efforts to build a more just and informed society through accessible legal wisdom.