Qualifying Guidelines

1. All qualifying performances for running events must be made on a standard indoor or a 400m outdoor track. However, for Race Walk events only, road race times are acceptable.
2. Qualifying marks must be made and verifiable in one of the following:
   1. USATF- or IAAF-sanctioned events,
   2. collegiate meets, or
   3. high school meets, except duals and triangulars.
3. All qualifying marks from outdoor competitions must be attained on or after Friday, July 5, 2002 through Sunday, June 15, 2003. Qualifying marks from indoor competitions must be attained on or after Saturday, November 30, 2002.
4. Fully automatic timing (F.A.T.) is the only method of timing acceptable for qualifying marks for events equal to or shorter than 800 meters.
5. A manual time may be used for qualifying for events of 1500 meters and longer only if no F.A.T. qualifying time exists for the race during the qualifying period. A manual time may not supersede any F.A.T. qualifying time for an event. Qualifying manual times, for eligible events, are always the F.A.T. qualifying time minus the last zero. The seed time for a submitted manual time will be in accordance with Rule 76.
6. Times submitted in hundredths of a second must be F.A.T. times.
7. An entered athlete attaining a qualifying mark within one-tenth percent (0.1%) of the standard for a running event, or 3 cm below the standard for the discus, javelin, or hammer, or 1 cm below the standard for other field events may declare their desire to compete during the normal declaration period. Athletes within this allowance may be accepted into the competition by the Sport Chair when positions are available in existing heats or sections in running events or when the number of competitors in a field event is fewer than 12.