Performance Pool Funding

To assist our top athletes to remain in the sport after graduation and to assist them with their everyday living expenses, USATF created a three-tier program of direct athlete support that includes:

1. Athlete Stipend
   The objective is to invest resources in the athletes based on two criteria:
   1. Olympic medal potential
   2. Financial need
2. Medical Reimbursement
   Qualified athlete receives between $500- $1,500 for preventive care expenses incurred in 2013, including massage therapy, chiropractic services, physical therapy, acupuncture, and medical expenses not covered by other health insurance.
3. Coaching Stipend

The objective of this program is to support those coaches who are producing medal-contending athletes. The criteria for this program coincide with our direct athlete support program criteria-in that a coach must have an athlete that falls under Tier 1 and Tier 2 to qualify for stipend.

The stipend amount will be $2,000 for Tier 1 athletes and $1,000 for Tier 2 athletes and the athlete must complete a form to designate their coach of record in order for USATF to process the payment.

In addition to the base program, “Medalist Bonuses” will be distributed after the 2013 World Championships. This bonus is distributed to coaches who produce medalists at the World Championships and provides additional support to these coaches. The bonus stipend amount will be determined based on the amount left from the base program and the number of medalists.

Athlete stipends and medical reimbursements are processed by the USOC once athletes have completed the necessary paperwork (see processing details below).

To receive payment for the stipends above, athlete must complete the following forms:

• 2013 USATF Athlete Agreement – (athlete need to complete once during that funding year)
  Athlete must have signed form on file before benefits/payments can be processed; athlete agreeing to terms and conditions to receive funding from USATF.
• Athlete Code of Conduct – please view policy at the following link “Athlete Code of Conduct”
• 2013 USOC Athlete Support Designee Form (athlete need to complete once during that funding year)
  Athlete must have signed form on file before benefits/payments can be processed; athlete agreeing to terms and conditions to receive funding from the USOC.
• W-9 Tax Form (athlete need to complete once during that funding year, unless they have an address update)
  The USOC and USATF do not take out taxes on your funding; therefore you will receive a 1099 from the USATF/USOC at the end of year.
• USOC Direct Deposit Authorization Form
  USOC Direct Deposit Authorization Form (this is optional). You will receive a paper check in the mail if you do not complete this form. Some athletes may already have direct deposit accounts set up with the USOC. To make sure the USOC has your most up-to-date bank account information it’s best practice to complete a new one each funding year.
• Coaching Stipend Form
  Athlete must complete and sign form letting USATF know this is their coach of record for the year before we can process the stipend to coach.
• Medical Reimbursement (receipts/invoices)
  Athletes no longer need to provide receipts/invoices to receive stipend for medical reimbursement. Once you have completed USOC forms your stipend will be processed.

Please mail, fax, or email copies (contact information below).

Mailing address:
USA Track & Field
ATTN: Sariyu Beka Suggs
132 E. Washington St. Suite 800
Indianapolis, IN 46204

Fax: 317.261.0514 or 1.800.833.1466

Have a question related to performance pool funding? Contact USATF’s Sariyu "Beka" Suggs:

Sariyu "Beka" Suggs High Performance Programs Manager Phone: 317-713-4689 E-mail: Sariyu.Suggs@usatf.org