Selection Procedures - Track & Field

As of 3/13/08; Pending final approval by the USOC Board of Directors; subject to change
Previous version: 10/15/07

1. Selection System
   1. The minimum eligibility requirements for an athlete to be considered for nomination to the Team:
      1. Citizenship:
         Athletes must be eligible to represent the U.S. in International competition and be a U.S. citizen prior to the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials. In addition, athletes must hold a valid U.S. Passport by July 23rd 2008.
      2. Minimum IF standards for participation (if any):
         All athletes nominated to the Olympic Team must meet the IAAF and IOC qualification standards. The qualification standards for participation are available at www.usatf.org.
      3. Other requirements:
         Athletes must be a USA Track & Field member in good standing at the time of the selection competition.

         Nominated athletes are required to sign a USA Track & Field Statement of Conditions for participation. (USATF reserves the right to amend the Statement of Conditions subject to USOC approval. (See Attachment A))

         In order to qualify for nomination to the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team, athletes must compete in the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials events except for relay team participation or qualification (See Section II. Discretionary Selection).

   2. Provide a brief summary outlining how an athlete is selected as a nominee to the Team (include maximum team size).

      Maximum Team Size is 141 athletes.

      The philosophy of USATF is to send the maximum number of athletes allowed by IAAF rules. USATF selection process is designed to have athletes select themselves in individual events. As it relates to relay events, the selection process provides Olympic coaches with the discretion necessary to select the best possible relay team.

      The following criteria will be used to nominate athletes to the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team in individual events: 1) an athlete's rank order of finish in a designated event at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials; 2) athletes that have achieved the Olympic "A" qualification standard per the IAAF rules of entry. (See D-2 for IAAF guidelines and exceptions)

   3. Tryout Events:
      1. Provide the event names, dates and location of all trials, events and/or camps to be used as part of the selection process.
         1. Track & Field Events:
            2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Track & Field
            Eugene, OR
            June 27th - July 6th, 2008
         2. Men's 50 km Race Walk:
            2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Men's 50 km Race Walk
            Miami, FL
            February 9, 2008
      2. Provide event names, dates, locations and description of how athletes qualify for any "preliminary or qualifying" events or procedures that are prerequisites to attend any of the events listed above in C. 1 (if any).

         The trials for selection to the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team will be the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Track & Field held in Eugene, OR, June 27th - July 6th, 2008 for all events except the men's 50 km race walk. The men's 50 km race walk team will be selected at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Men's 50 km Race Walk in Miami, FL on February 9, 2008.

         Track & Field Events: To qualify to participate in the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track and Field, an athlete must have achieved a qualifying mark established by USATF in a national or international meet which is sanctioned or recognized by either USATF or the IAAF and is conducted under the rules of same. Such a qualifying mark must be achieved during a time period of January 1, 2007 through June 15, 2008.

         Men's 50 km Race Walk: To qualify to participate in the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Men's 50 km Race Walk, an athlete must have Version 8 (March 13, 2008) 4 achieved a qualifying mark established by USATF in a national or international race which is sanctioned or recognized by either USATF or the IAAF and is conducted under the rules of same. Such a qualifying mark must be achieved during a time period of January 1, 2006 through January 27, 2008.

         Men's and Women's Marathon has a separate set of selection procedures that can be found at: http://www.usatf.org/events/2008/OlympicGames/entry/.

   4. Provide a comprehensive, step-by-step description of the method that explains how athletes will go through the selection process to become team nominees.

      The following criteria will be used to nominate athletes to the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team in Individual events: 1) an athlete's rank order of finish in a designated event at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials; 2) Athletes that have achieved the Olympic "A" qualification standard per IAAF entry rules. (See D2 for exceptions and Attachment B for scenarios)

      1. Rank Order of Finish: All athletes competing in a 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials event will be assigned a rank based upon the order of finish for that event. An athlete must compete in each event in which s/he is entered in order to be assigned a rank. Rank order of finish for an individual event will be established as follows:
         • Running events: 1) Athletes participating in the final round of competition will be assigned a rank based upon their place- finish in the final of that event: 2) Athletes that do not qualify for the finals will establish their rank order position based on the fastest time achieved in the semi-final round; and 3) Athletes that do not qualify for the semi-finals will establish their rank order position based on the fastest time achieved in the preliminary rounds. An athlete's final ranking will be based upon the highest round completed by an athlete. For relay events see section II.
         • Field events: 1) Athletes participating in the final round of competition will be assigned a rank based upon their place-finish in the finals; 2) Athletes that do not qualify for the finals will establish their rank order position based on the athlete's best mark achieved in the qualifying round. An athlete's ranking will be based upon the highest round completed by an athlete. If there is a tie in a field event, excluding the high jump and pole vault, the tie will be broken Version 8 (March 13, 2008) 5 by selecting the athlete with the best second mark in that round of competition. Ties in the high jump and pole vault will be broken by a jump off, if possible, 1) immediately after the event but 2) no later than morning following the event, to the extent that it is necessary to nominate a team member in that particular event.
      2. Olympic Standard: The top Ranked Order Finishers as defined in D- 1 (maximum of 3) who have achieved the Olympic "A" standard (see exception in item (b) below) by the end of their event at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials-Track & Field or Men's 50 km Race Walk by July 6, 2008, will be nominated to the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team on July 8, 2008 provided they have met the entry guidelines listed below. (see Attachment B)
         
         Per IAAF rules:
         • The U.S. may enter a maximum of 3 athletes per event/per gender provided they all have met the Olympic "A" qualifying standard for the respective event. This standard must be met between January 1, 2007 and July 6, 2008 for track & field and between September 1, 2006 and July 6, 2008 for combined events and race walk.
         • In the event that one or more athletes described in D-2 have not met the Olympic "A" qualifying standard by the end of their event at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track & Field or the Men's 50 km Race Walk by July 6, 2008, athlete(s) who have achieved the Olympic "A" qualifying standard will be nominated to the Olympic Team based on rank order of finish at the U.S. Olympic Trials – Track & Field or the U.S. Olympic Trials – 50 km Race Walk. Subject to the following:
           
           Track & Field
           1. In the event that a non Olympic "A" standard athlete places in a position that would make the Olympic Team at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track & Field – and there are two or more athlete candidates in the final of said event who have met the Olympic "A" standard, the nominations to the Olympic Team will be awarded to up to three athletes per gender who have achieved the Olympic "A" standard, based on rank order of finish at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track & Field.
           2. In the event that a non Olympic "A" standard athlete places in a position that would make the Olympic Team at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track & Field and only one athlete candidate in that final event has met the "A" standard by the end of their event, the highest placing athlete who has met either the "A" or "B" standard will be the nominee to the 2008 Olympic Team in that event. The next highest placing finisher with an "A" or a "B" standard will serve as the replacement athlete.
           3. If no athlete(s) from the U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track & Field has achieved the Olympic "A" standard by the conclusion of their event - the highest place finisher at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track & Field, with the Olympic "B" standard will be the sole nominee to the 2008 Olympic Team in that event.
           4. If no athletes meet the Olympic "A" or "B" standards in a given event, no athletes will be nominated to the U.S. Olympic Team in that event.
           Men's 50 km Race Walk
           1. In the event that a non Olympic "A" standard athlete places in a position that would make the Olympic Team at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Men's 50 km Race Walk and does not achieve the Olympic "A" standard by July 6, 2008 - the nominations to the Olympic Team will be awarded to up to three athletes per gender who have achieved the Olympic "A" standard, based on rank order of finish at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials –Men's 50 km Race Walk.
           2. If no athlete(s) from the U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Men's 50 km Race Walk has achieved the Olympic "A" standard by July 6, 2008 - the highest place finisher at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Men' 50 km Race Walk, with the Olympic "B" standard will be the sole nominee to the 2008 Olympic Team.
           3. If no athletes meet the Olympic "A" or "B" standards in a given event, no athletes will be nominated to the U.S. Olympic Team.
   5. Provide the names of all committees/groups who oversee the selection process, including the name(s) and role(s) of their members.

      (See Section XI)

2. Discretionary Selection (if applicable)
   1. Provide rationale for utilizing discretionary selection (if any):

      Relay Team members are the only athletes who will be selected utilizing discretionary selection. The IAAF allows countries to enter up to six (6) relay pool participants per gender each for the 4x100m and 4x400m relays. Should the NOC enter individual athletes and a relay team in the same distance, the entered individual athletes must be included in the total of 6 athletes entered for the relay event. (Example: If the U.S. enters 3 athletes in the men's 100m these three athletes must be entered as part of the 6 man relay pool for the men's 4x100m.)

      Depending upon the number of athletes entered as individuals in the 100m and 400m respectively, USATF will select the remaining athletes for the relay pool. Depending on who the sprinters entered in individual events are it is imperative that the remaining discretionary slots are filled by athletes who have the ability and skills that complement the other relay pool members.

   2. List the discretionary criteria and explain how it will be used:

      The decision to place athletes in the relay pool will be based on the Relay Coach's judgment of that athlete's ability to contribute to the success of the relay team. The Relay Coach will also take the following into consideration: 1) the athlete's ability to pass and receive the baton with either hand; 2) the athlete's ability to run the turn and/or straight leg; and 3) the athlete's availability and willingness to attend relay camps and practices 4) athlete's times run at the appropriate distances 5) the athlete's Olympic and World Championship relay experience.

      In order to qualify for nomination to the 2008 Olympic Relay Pool (remaining slots), athletes must compete in the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track and Field unless excused for unforeseen circumstances prior to the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track and Field by the chair of the appropriate sports committee. This provision should only be utilized in Version 8 (March 13, 2008) 8 extreme cases and such athlete should have demonstrated Olympic and /or World Championship medal performances.

   3. Discretionary Selection Committee

      The Relay Coach in question, the Head Coach, the High Performance Division Chair (or his/her designee), the appropriate Sports Committee Chair (or his/her designee) and the AAC Chair (or his/her designee) will make the final selection of the remaining relay pool athletes. If the AAC chair chooses to use a designee that designee must meet the definition of an athlete as defined by the USOC. Members of this Committee may only vote in one capacity.

3. Removal of Athletes
   1. Prior to acceptance of nomination by the USOC, USA Track & Field has jurisdiction over potential nominees.

      An athlete who is to be nominated to the Team by USA Track & Field may be removed from the Nominations for any of the following reasons, as determined by USA Track & Field.

      • Voluntary withdrawal. Athlete must submit a written letter to USA Track & Field CEO.
      • Injury or illness as certified by an NGB physician (or medical staff). If an athlete refuses verification of their illness or injury by an NGB physician (or medical staff), their injury will be assumed to be disabling and they may be removed.
      • Violation of USA Track & Field's Statement of Conditions. - (See Attachment A)
        
        An athlete who may be removed from the Team pursuant to this provision has the right to a hearing per USA Track & Field's Bylaws Article 19 and Regulation 11 or USOC Bylaws, Article 9.
   2. After acceptance of nomination by the USOC, the USOC has jurisdiction over The Team under the USOC Code of Conduct and Grievance Procedures. This occurs no earlier than 45 days and no later than 30 days prior to the Opening Ceremonies of the Games (unless expressly waived by the USOC).

      A USOC approved team member is subject to the USOC Code of Conduct and Grievance Procedures.

   3. An athlete may be removed from Nomination or from the Team at any time for violation of IOC, WADA, IAAF, USADA and/or USOC anti-doping protocol, policies and procedures. In such instances, the adjudication process will be managed through the United States Anti-Doping Agency.
4. Replacement of Athletes
   1. Describe the process by which the replacement pool of athletes will be identified:

      The replacement pool of athletes will consist of athletes who competed in the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track & Field or Men's 50 km Race Walk unless for relays s/he has previously received a wavier excusing them from participation in the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials.

   2. Describe how the replacement athlete(s) will be selected should a vacancy occur:

      An athlete who withdraws from the team due to illness, injury or for any other reason, or fails to abide by the USOC Code of Conduct, after the final entry date will be replaced by the next eligible athlete who has achieved the Olympic Games qualifying standard, in rank order finish from the selection competition (Olympic Team Trials). The replacement athlete will be required to sign a statement of conditions for participation. (See Attachment A)

      In individual event disciplines, the replacement position will be filled by the next rank order finisher who has achieved the Olympic "A" standard by the end of their event at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Track & Field or in the case of the Men's 50 km Race Walk by July 6, 2008.

      If there are no Olympic "A" qualifiers remaining on the ranked order list and the other team members in the event in question have the Olympic "A" standard, no replacement athlete will be nominated.

      In the event the athlete that is being replaced is the sole nominee because there are no athletes with the Olympic "A " standard and they have been entered with the Olympic "B" standard, the next placing athlete who has achieved the Olympic "B" standard by the end of their event at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Track & Field or in the case of the Men's 50 km Race Walk by July 6, 2008 will be nominated as the replacement.

   3. Identify the group or committee that will be responsible for making athlete replacement determinations:
      
      n/a
5. Supporting Documents
   
   USA Track & Field will retain all supporting documents, including scouting or evaluation forms, etc., and data from the selection process for six months past the date of the Closing Ceremonies of the Games.
6. Required Documents
   
   The following documents are required to be signed by an athlete as a condition of nomination to the Olympic Team and are included as attachments.

   The Statement of Conditions will be signed by nominated athletes. (See Attachment A.)

7. Publicity/Distribution of Procedures
   
   The USOC approved Selection Procedures (complete and unaltered) will be posted/published by USA Track & Field in the following locations and will include the USOC approval date:
   1. USA Track & Field website: www.usatf.org/elite
      The website information will be posted as soon as possible, but not more than 5 business days following notice of approval by the USOC.
   2. USA Track & Field Official Publication: Elite Beat magazine, distributed to more than 1,000 athletes
   3. Other:
      • E-mail: direct e-mail to athletes; more than 1,000 athlete e-mail addresses on file
      • E-mail: direct e-mail to USATF certified athlete representatives
      • Olympic Trials Entry Booklet: selection procedures will be clearly defined in the selection competition entry booklet which will be published in January 2008
8. Date of Nomination

   The nomination of athletes form, including replacements, will be submitted to the USOC on or before July 8, 2008.

9. Mandatory Training and/or Competition

   All athletes will be notified (via USATF's web site) at least 45 days prior to the 2008 U.S Olympic Team Trials –Track & Field if there are any mandatory training camps scheduled to take place prior to the 2008 Olympic Games. For security purposes USATF will not post any training camp location information on the USATF's web site.

10. Anti-Doping Requirements
    
    Athletes must adhere to all IOC, WADA, IAAF, USADA and USOC anti-doping protocols, policies and procedures. This includes participation in an out-of competition testing as required by the IOC, WADA, IAAF, USADA and USOC Rules.
11. Development of Selection Procedures
    
    The following committee/group was responsible for creating these selection procedures:

    The selection and nomination process to the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Team were approved by the High Performance Chair and the Men's and Women's Track & Field Executive Committees.

    Men's Track & Field Executive Committee
    Chair: John Chaplin
    Vice Chair: Harry Groves
    Secretary: Alan Kolling (non-voting)
    USTCA: David Harris
    Rules: Ed Gorman
    Standards: Bob Podkaminer
    L&L: Alan Kolling
    Officials: Joe Gentry
    Development: Brad Hackett
    High Schools: John Hemmer
    Jr. Colleges: Al Hobbs
    Associations: Tim Baker
    Clubs: Skip Stolley
    Meet Directors: Tracy Sundlun
    Version 8 (March 13, 2008) 12
    Agents: John Cook
    At large: Terry Crawford

    Athletes appointed by the AAC Chair
    Teddy Mitchell
    Jamie Nieto
    Jarred Rome
    Gary Morgan
    Antonio Pettigrew

    Women's Track & Field Executive Committee
    

    Chair: Stephanie Hightower
    Secretary: Rich Torrellas
    Officials: Carol Coram
    USATC: Terry Crawford
    USOC: Evie Dennis
    NCAA: Karen Dennis
    LDR: Julia Emmons
    Development: Sue Humphrey
    IAAF: Dee Jen
    High Performance: Brooks Johnson
    Rules: Bert Lyle
    Heptathlon: Craig Poole
    NCAA: Connie Price-Smith
    Juniors: Rita Somerlot
    Cross Country: Anne Timmons
    L & L: Cliff Wiley
    Sports Science: Danny Williams

    Athletes appointed by the AAC Chair:
    Stephanie Brown
    Stacy Dragila
    Delisa Floyd
    Tongula Givens
    Marsha Horan
    Latanya Sheffield
    Sasha Spencer
    Angie Taylor

12. NGB Bylaws and Grievance Procedures
    
    The USA Track & Field Bylaws and Grievance Procedures can be found at www.usatf.org/about/governance/
13. International Disclaimer
    
    These procedures are based on IOC and/or IAAF rules and regulations as presently known and understood. Any change in the selection procedures caused by a change in IOC and/or IAAF rules and regulations will be distributed to the affected athletes immediately. The selection criteria are based on the latest information available to USA Track & Field. However, the selections are always subject to unforeseen, intervening circumstances, and realistically may not have accounted for every possible contingency.
14. Athlete Ombudsman
    
    Athletes who have questions regarding their opportunity to compete that are not answered by USA Track & Field may contact the USOC Athlete Ombudsman: John W. Ruger by:
    • Toll-free telephone at (888) ATHLETE
    • E-mail at john.ruger@usoc.org
    • www.888athlete.org

Attachment A

USATF National Team Athlete Statement of Conditions (PDF)

Attachment B

Athlete Selection Scenarios:

Scenarios listed in Attachment B are based on the top 8 finishers in any final. Marks and times in preceding rounds may still affect the selection however the same principles would apply. A and B standards listed on "Attachment B" are the Olympic A and B standards.

Scenario I below represents a situation where the top finishers are "A" athletes. Scenario II represents a situation where the top finishers have a "B" athlete. The "B" athletes would be skipped and the next "A" athletes would be nominated.

Scenario I

Scenario II

In scenario III, 1st place is a "B" athlete. In this scenario 1st place is skipped and the 2nd, 3rd and 5th place "A" athletes are nominated to the team in order to enter the most number of athletes allowed. Scenario IV the U.S. would only enter the 1st and 2nd place "B" athletes with the 2nd place "B" being the replacement.

Scenario III

Scenario IV

In scenario V, the 2nd place "B" is nominated to the team and the 5th place "B" is the replacement. Scenario VI is composed of all non standard athletes and shows no one nominated to the Olympic Team.

Scenario V

Scenario VI

In scenario VII the 1st place "B" is nominated to the team and the "A" athlete is the replacement athlete because only one "A" athlete is in the final thus the highest ranking "A" or "B" finisher is nominated and the next highest place finisher with either an "A" or "B" standard serves as the replacement athlete.

Scenario VII

Click here to view a PDF of the original document as approved by the USOC.