The aim of the scholarships is to offer help to National Olympic Committees NOCs) in general, but specifically those who face the greatest needs in the development of sport in their countries.

The scholarships are part of the mission to enable talented athletes to prepare for next summer's Olympic Games.

Those athletes nominated come from a range of countries including Barbados, Ecuador, Slovakia, Chile and Monaco, and all have been identified by their NOCs as potential triathlon stars of the future.

Barbara Riveros Diaz of Chile may harbour hopes of winning a medal at London 2012 having defeated Emma Moffatt and Andrea Hewitt in the opening round of last year's World Championship series, whilst Ireland's Aileen Morrison could be another contender to keep an eye on in London next year.

The youngest athlete to receive a scolarship is Namibia's Abrahm Louw (pictured), who competed in the Summer Olympic Youth Games in Singapore last year, finishing fifth in the men's race.

Marisol Casado, International Triathlon Union President and IOC member, said: "Triathlon is one of the fastest growing Olympic sports and athletes are emerging from every corner of the world.

"Global sport development has always been one of our main aims, which is in keeping with the spirit of the IOC's Olympic Solidarity Programmes, and today I am extremely pleased to see these athletes being helped on their way to international and Olympic success."

Libby Burrell, the International Triathlon Union's Development Director, added: "Sport development is all about athletes being given opportunities to maximise their potential

"Olympic Solidarity Scholarships have made this possible in the past for many young triathletes and this year we will see the largest ever group of triathletes reap the benefits of this wonderful programme."

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