Qualifying Guidelines

1. All qualifying performances must be made on a USATF-certified road course, standard outdoor track, or an international road course certified by the appropriate authority.
2. Qualifying marks must be made and verifiable in a USATF- or IAAF-sanctioned event.
3. All qualifying performances are subject to verification.
4. Athletes must meet the "A" standard in order to enter the Olympic Trials. There is no "B" standard. All persons meeting the "A" standard are eligible to enter.

Automatic Qualification

In accordance with USATF Rule 10.3 (b) ii:  Any male athlete who has, in the current year or during the previous four calendar years (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007), in a race walking event accomplished one of the following shall be afforded automatic qualification into the U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Men's 50 km Race Walk:

• Earned an individual medal in an Olympic Games or IAAF World Championship
• Won an individual Championship at the USA Open Indoor or Outdoor Track & Field Championships
• Won a USA Championship in the 50 km Race Walk
• Won a U.S. Olympic Team Trials

All athletes who are allowed entry into the Olympic Trials via automatic qualifying regulations must submit an entry and follow the same declaration procedures as all other Olympic Trials qualifiers. These athletes should also list the details regarding the qualifying performance on their official entry form.

Athletes whose entry into the Olympic Trials is based solely on the "automatic qualification" provision are not eligible to receive funding based on the automatic qualification alone.