Introducing Olympian & Paralympian Online Experiences
Airbnb, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) are announcing a five-day summer festival featuring more than 100 Olympian and Paralympian Online Experiences hosted virtually by some of the world’s best athletes. The festival of Olympian and Paralympian Online Experiences will kick off with an opening act on July 24, when the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 were originally scheduled to begin, and is an opportunity for athletes to generate income while they share their passion for the Olympic and Paralympic Games and their sport with guests.
How many Online Experiences are available for the summer festival, and how can they be booked?
The summer festival will spotlight more than 100 Olympian and Paralympian Online Experiences available on our platform, including a curated selection available to book starting July 22, 2020 at 6 AM PDT.
What will I need to book and participate in these Online Experiences?
To book and participate in an Online Experience, guests will need a device that meets Zoom system requirements and a working internet connection. Certain experiences may require other supplies or equipment for the activities (e.g. sports shoes, a mat, etc.). The experience page will note everything that may be needed and upon booking, guests will receive a confirmation that also outlines what they need to have on hand for the experience.
Throughout the five days of programming across multiple time zones, the lineup will showcase a variety of interactive Online Experiences that guests can book on Airbnb beginning July 22 at 6 AM PDT. Spectators can also watch select Online Experiences live or on replay on Airbnb and the Olympic and Paralympic YouTube channels. While many hosts will continue to offer their activities after the event ends, like Reinvent Yourself with Simidele Adeagbo and Positive Thinking with a Paralympic Hero Stephen Miller, several will be once-in-a-lifetime Online Experiences available exclusively during the festival, like Explore the Surf Life with Jordy Smith and See the World with Lex Gillette.
Will any of these Online Experiences take place within my time zone?
The five-day summer festival will feature a lineup of Online Experiences across multiple time zones, so that guests around the world can engage with different athletes throughout each day. Guests can head to Airbnb.com/festival on July 22 at 6 AM PDT, and browse all the Online Experiences in an easy-to-use, time zone-friendly schedule of events.
Will any of these Olympian and Paralympian Online Experiences during the summer festival have a social impact?
Yes, several will be classified as Social Impact, meaning they are inspiring activities hosted by nonprofits or their advocates that connect guests to causes the athlete cares about. Hosting a Social Impact Experience is a great way for an athlete or organization to promote awareness, create long-term advocates, and raise funds. As with all Social Impact Experiences, Airbnb waives its fees, so 100% of the proceeds go directly to the nonprofits.
Why are Olympian and Paralympian Online Experiences a key source of income?
Online Experiences can provide an ongoing stream of revenue and the flexibility for athletes to host their experiences around their rigorous training schedules. We are also seeing more retired athletes, and athletes seeking career transitions, turning to Online Experiences as a platform to share their skills and passions with guests.
Olympian and Paralympian Online Experiences provide direct earning opportunities for athletes, underlining the efforts of Airbnb, the IOC, and the IPC to support athletes and put them at the heart of the Olympic and Paralympic Movement. This is especially crucial in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and postponement of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020, which left professional athletes worldwide in a situation of financial uncertainty. Many of those athletes are now actively seeking alternative sources of income while they continue to chase their dreams of medaling at Tokyo 2020 in 2021. Fans who book will proudly support their heroes ahead of Tokyo 2020, as proceeds will provide valuable income to athlete hosts now and beyond the festival.
How can athletes sign up to host an Olympian or Paralympian Experience or Online Experience?
Interested athletes can submit an in-person or online experience on the Airbnb platform or through an initial interest form on the IOC's Athlete365 platform.
Information contained in this article may have changed since publication.