Logistical information and guidance for event directors and Local Organizing Committees

USATF takes the health, safety, and well-being of our sanctioned event participants seriously. We are monitoring the situation related to the novel coronavirus COVID-19 very closely. USATF sanctioned events take place throughout the United States. They are run by independent event organizers, and each state has local health officials who are making determinations as to what is appropriate in those respective areas. USATF defers to the recommendations of those local health officials in its efforts to protect sanction participants and event organizers.

• Based on guidance from USATF’s COVID-19 Working Group, suspend all USATF Championship events and all USATF sanctioned events indefinitely.
• If you choose to postpone your USATF sanctioned event, please email sanctions@usatf.org. USATF will work with you to reschedule your event, as necessary.
• If event organizers choose to cancel their event entirely, please visit this link. Event organizers can log into their event management page using their event ID and password. Once in the event management page, you can submit a request for a cancellation refund by clicking on “Cancel Event”.
• If a USATF sanctioned event is postponed or cancelled, the athletes who are participating in these sanctioned events should be promptly notified of any actions taken by sanctioned event organizers.
• For USATF sanctioned events which are trying to determine whether to hold, postpone, or cancel their event, the Local Organizing Committee or event leadership should remain in close contact with the local Department of Health for guidance on whether the event should take place and under what restrictions. If a determination is made to continue with the event, the USATF COVID-19 Working Group recommends the following restrictions:
  • Only competitors, necessary officials, and coaches should attend and participate. It is recommended that immediate family members not attend.
  • Individuals who are greater than 60 years of age, have pulmonary, cardiovascular, or renal disease, are immuno-compromised, or any participant who lives with someone meeting the above criteria should not attend and participate, due to a higher risk profile.
  • Events should only continue if proper hygiene standards can be implemented, including but not limited to adequate hand-washing stations, hand sanitizer availability at entrances, adequate and regular cleaning of hard surfaces and implements / equipment, etc.
  • Any fluids utilized should be in factory sealed, closed containers, and distribution should be done only by individuals wearing gloves.
  • The event leadership should be familiar with and follow the CDC guidelines and recommendations for mass gatherings.