Overview: How the Point System Works

The top American male finisher and top American female finisher in each event of the Visa Championship Series, including the U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Track & Field, will have their performances assigned a point total based on the IAAF Scoring Tables of Athletics. The athlete whose performance has the highest point total at the end of the Visa Championship Series will be named the Visa Champion.

Although the top performance can come at any of the Visa Championship Series meets, an athlete must compete at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Track & Field in order to be named Visa Champion. Collegiate and high school athletes are not eligible.

Visa Championship Series Outdoor Season Scoring System

The male and female athlete with the top overall performance in the 2009 Outdoor Visa Championship Series will be named Visa Champion and each will receive a $25,000 bonus.

The top American male finisher and top American female finisher in each event of the Visa Championship Series, including the U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Track & Field, will have their performances assigned a point total based on the IAAF Scoring Tables of Athletics. The athlete whose single-best performance has the highest point total at the end of the Visa Championship Series will be named the Visa Champion.

Although the top performance can come at any of the Visa Championship Series meets, an athlete must compete at the 2009 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in order to be named Visa Champion. Collegiate and high school athletes are not eligible. Ties will be broken by determining which tied athlete had the best mark at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Track & Field, based on the IAAF Scoring Tables of Athletics. See complete scoring details, below.

Scoring Details

• The top American male finisher and top American female finisher (excluding collegiate and high school athletes) in each eligible event at each of the Visa Championship Series meets can score points.
• Events eligible for scoring are those that are contested as championship events at the 2009 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Events not meeting the above definition are not scored.
• Athletes score points based on their finish in the final of their event. Points are assigned based on the IAAF Scoring Tables of Athletics.
• In events with wind readings (100m, 200m, 100m Hurdles, 110m Hurdles, Long Jump, Triple Jump), points will be adjusted according to the IAAF Wind Modification System. The adjustment is +/- 0.6 points for every -/+ 0.1 m/s, and the point totals are rounded down after the modification.
• In order to be eligible to be declared the Winner, athletes must compete at the 2009 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
• The male and female athletes with the highest point values for their individual performances will be declared the Winners.
• Ties will be broken by determining which tied athlete had the best mark from the 2009 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, based on the IAAF Scoring Tables of Athletics. If a tie still exists, it will be broken by determining which tied athlete had the next best mark during the Outdoor Visa Championship Series. If an athlete does not have another mark from the Outdoor Visa Championship Series, the athlete's next best mark from the outdoor season will be used.

View the Indoor Season standings.