Athlete Information

Click any of the links below to be taken directly to that information.

Criteria for a Legal Meet | Declaration Information | Entry & Declaration Status | Steps to Update Affiliations | Eligibility Requirements | Pole Vault Transfers | Travel Funding | Awards & Prize Money

Criteria for a Legal Meet

Criteria for a Meet/Event to be acceptable for qualifying for USATF Indoor National Championships

In order for a mark(s) from a meet or single event to be accepted for qualifying for the USATF Indoor Championships AND for USATF to be able to verify to the IAAF and various track and field ranking agencies the validity of the mark(s) for IAAF World Championships qualifying purposes, the following criteria apply:

1. The meet/event must appear on an organizations’ previously published calendar of events.*
2. The meet/event must be sanctioned in advance by USATF or the National Governing Body of another nation. And while not sanctioned by USATF, higher level collegiate and high school meets—such as a high school or college invitational, championships, relay carnivals, etc.—will be recognized as valid meets for qualifying.
3. The meet/event must be held on a legal facility per USATF and/or IAAF rules and regulations.
4. USATF certified or recognized officials must officiate the meet/event.
5. In the 60 meters, 60 meter hurdles, 300 meters and 600 meters, only marks made using FAT (full automatic timing to the hundredth of a second [.01]) will be accepted for QUALIFYING PURPOSES.
6. In throwing events, all implements must be officially measured and certified according to USATF and/or IAAF rules.
7. At least five competitors of the same gender must participate in each event. Also, the five competitors must be open athletes and not a mixture of masters and/or youth competitors in Youth or Masters event.
8. Trials and finals, qualifying and finals, rounds in running events, etc. should be run according to USATF and/or IAAF rules and regulations. Duplicate events on the same day, unless they follow the World/Olympic same-day qualifying and finals format, will not be acceptable for qualifying purposes.
9. Meet results, including all field event recording sheet(s) and throwing implement verifications sheets, may be requested- and are to be sent/faxed (317-261-0514) to the USATF National Office, attn: Duffy Mahoney, if verification is needed.
10. Meet results should always be faxed or e-mailed to: USATF at stats@usatf.org and T&F News at stats@trackandfieldnews.com.

*Note: Meets that are last-chance in nature, or not on an organization’s calendar of events, must be reported to USATF at duffy.mahoney@usatf.org or 317-713-4673 not later than three full weeks from the first day/date of competition of those Championships. Doing so will permit the USATF staff member, as designated by the Sports Committee Chairs, to review the proposed meet/event. If the meet/event were to be approved, this would allow for sufficient time to disseminate meet information to as many interested competitors as possible. Failure to adhere to this protocol will likely result in the performance(s) being disallowed for qualifying purposes.

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Declaration Information

Use this link to declare.

Declaration Window/Fees

On-time: Thursday, 2/6/20, from 12:01 a.m. to Friday, 2/7/2020 by 11:59 p.m. PST – $0
Late declaration petition ONLY: Saturday, 2/8/20 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. PST – $100

• Online is the only method of declaration. No other form of declaration will be accepted.
• Each athlete or his representative must declare whether that athlete will or will not compete during the designated time.
• Athletes not declaring by the declaration deadline will be scratched.
• For assistance with a declaration issue send an email to Stats@usatf.org.
• Petitions for Late Declarations
  • Petitions may be filed by emailing the following information to [Duffy.Mahoney@usatf.org]:
    • Athlete Name
    • Athlete Event(s)
    • Explanation for late declaration
    • Call back number (cell number preferred)
  • Athletes submitting a petition for late declaration will be assessed a $100 late declaration fee. Late declaration fees may be paid by credit card only. 
  • Decisions on late declaration petitions will be acted upon by a special committee no later than 4:00 p.m. ET on Monday, February 10, 2020.
  • Late declaration petition fees are non-refundable regardless of the decision of the committee.

Steps to Declare for the USATF Indoor Track & Field Championships

1. Go to: Entry/Registration
2. Click the tab along the top of the entry form labeled "Manage My Registration" or “Declare”.
3. On the login screen choose how you will log in (as an "Individual Registrant", as a "Representative/Coach", or as a "USATF Club Administrator/Coach").

If you are logging in as an "Individual Registrant":

1. Select "Individual Registrant" in the drop-down menu on the login screen.
2. Enter your e-mail address (the one that's part of your USATF member profile).
3. Enter the registration password that you received in your confirmation e-mail from the entry system (it's located at the bottom of the e-mail under the heading "Managing Your Registration"). If you don't have your confirmation e-mail, you can reset your registration password by clicking the "forgot your password" link on the login screen and following the on-screen instructions.
4. Click the "Login" button.
5. You will now be presented with a menu of choices; click the link labeled "Declare for your events".
6. On the next screen, select "declare" or "scratch" for each of your events.
7. If you want to update your qualifying mark, click the linked labeled "click to edit" next to the information you want to update.
8. After you've made all your changes, scroll to the bottom of the form and click the "Save" button to save the changes.

If you are logging in as a "Representative/Coach", you will need to:

1. Select "Representative/Coach" in the drop-down menu on the login screen.
2. Enter your e-mail address (the one you entered on the payment screen when you registered your athletes and the one at which you received the registration confirmation e-mail).
3. Enter the registration password that you received in your confirmation e-mail from the entry system (it's located in the e-mail under the heading "Managing Your Registration"). If you don't have your confirmation e-mail, you can reset your registration password by clicking the "forgot your password" link on the login screen and following the on-screen instructions.
4. Click the "Login" button.
5. On the next screen, click the link labeled "Manage declarations" in the box on the right side of the screen.
6. On the next screen, select the declaration category and/or event you want to view, and click the "Next" button.
7. On the next screen, select "declare" or "scratch" for each of your athletes' events.
8. If you want to update a qualifying mark, click the linked labeled "click to edit" next to the information you want to update.
9. After you've made all your changes, scroll to the bottom of the form and click the "Save" button to save the changes.

If you are logging in as a "USATF Club Administrator/Coach", you will need to:

1. Select "Representative/Coach" in the drop-down menu on the login screen.
2. Enter your USATF club number.
3. Enter your USATF membership number.
4. Enter your USATF membership password. If you don't know your password, you can look it up here.
5. Click the "Login" button.
6. On the next screen, click the link labeled "Manage declarations" in the box on the right side of the screen.
7. On the next screen, select the declaration category and/or event you want to view, and click the "Next" button.
8. On the next screen, select "declare" or "scratch" for each of your athletes' events.
9. If you want to update a qualifying mark, click the linked labeled "click to edit" next to the information you want to update.
10. After you've made all your changes, scroll to the bottom of the form and click the "Save" button to save the changes.

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Entry & Declaration Status

Entry Status Categories

*Accepted – Athlete had not met the qualifying standard for an event. However, the Sport Committee will accept a non-qualified mark to fill the field only if there are an insufficient number of athletes entered who have met the qualifying standard for that event.  In this case, the committee will go down the list of entered and declared athletes (that have not met the qualifying standard) only as deep as is needed to fill the field.
 
*Note: USATF Rule 11.3(b) concerning adding athletes to make a competitive field, and USATF Rule 8 concerning automatic qualifications, will be used.

Declaration Status Categories

*Note: All Entrants should declare during the declaration period. This helps the seeding committee make decisions on “Accepting” marks that do not meet the qualifying standard for the purpose of filling the field for each event.

• Open - entry received but not yet in the verification process (all entries start in this category)
• Qualified - mark has been verified and is accepted for entry into the championships.
• Info needed - entry requires additional information or required documents (e.g., DOB verification, citizenship, name of meet director) are missing
• Accepted* – used primarily during or following the declarations process to indicate a mark that is being accepted.
• Not qualified - mark not acceptable; reasons vary
• Not accepted - entry not accepted; reasons vary
• Updated - mark has been updated/changed and must be re-verified
• Open - declaration not yet made (all entries start in this category)
• Declared - athlete has declared his/her intent to compete
• Pending - athlete has declared his/her intent to compete, but entry has an updated mark that must be verified or requires additional information (i.e..DOB verification or additional information on mark submitted)
• Not accepted – declaration not accepted; reasons vary
• Scratched - athlete has declared his/her intent to not compete in the events(s) entered

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Steps to Update Affiliations

*Note: The password that is tied to an athlete’s USATF membership is no longer valid to log-in to complete an entry/registration or to log back in to update marks, affiliations, and credential information for an entry/registration.  After the entry/registration is completed a confirmation email will be sent to the email address on file under the athletes USATF membership profile. This email will contain the password to log back into the entry/registration to update (affiliations, credentials, marks). The password is located under the heading "Managing Your Registration". This email confirmation with password is only sent to the email address that’s on file under the athlete USATF membership profile. Even though the entry system gives you the option to send a receipt/confirmation to an alternate email address, the password will only be sent to the email address on file under the athlete USATF membership. 

Affiliation updates may be made up until close of entries:

Friday, 2/5/20 at 11:59 PST

Updating Affiliation

1. View/update affiliation (USATF Registered Club, Military Branch, Corporate Sponsor*, or University) under USATF membership profile before completing registration/entry.
2. If the entry/registration was already completed before updating affiliation, log into the USATF membership profile with athlete USATF membership number and password associated with your membership. Then go to the affiliation area to view different affiliation options (i.e. USATF Registered Club, Military Branch, Corporate Sponsor*, or University).        
3. Once this is updated in the membership profile, go back to entry/registration form and click on that tab that says “manage your registration”. Login with email address (email on file under USATF membership profile at the time entry/registration was completed) and the password (that was provided in the confirmation email that was sent to that email address). Note that the password is NOT the password tied to accessing your USATF membership profile.
4. *USATF members do not have the option to update corporate sponsors under the profile. These must be verified and updated by a national office representative in our membership department at .

Updating Marks or Credential Information

1. Go to registration/entry form and click on tab that says, “Manage your registration”.
2. Log in with email address (email on file under USATF membership profile at the time entry/registration was completed) and the password (that was provided in the confirmation email that was sent to that email address). Note that the password is NOT the password tied to accessing your USATF membership profile.
3. Then go the area you would like to update (i.e. marks, credentials (add-ons).
4. Once all changes have been made, make sure you save changes before logging out of entry/registration.

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Eligibility Requirements

Only citizens of the United States who are eligible to represent the U.S. in all levels of international competition are eligible to compete in Championship events. Dual citizens, please take note.

• Female athletes must be 14 years or older on the day of competition. There is no age restriction for male athletes.
• Athletes may enter an event(s) even if they have not yet met the qualifying standard for that event(s). However, athletes will not be permitted to compete unless they have:
  • Completed the entry process
  • Met the entry standard
  • Completed the declaration process
  • Have an updated athlete location form on file with USADA if you are in the Out-Of-Competition Drug-Testing Pool (OOC).
  • Proof of qualifying performance, if required, must be submitted to USATF no later than 5:00 p.m. PT, Wednesday, February 5, 2020. Submittals received after this date will not be accepted. Please contact stats@usatf.org for verification procedures.

All athletes must be 2020 members of USATF in good standing. USATF memberships may be purchased online, or through your local Association Office.

Athletes must be bona fide members of a 2020 USATF club in order to represent a club. An athlete's current club affiliation can be viewed in his/her membership profile and as part of the online entry process. Athletes wishing to change affiliations can make such a request through their local USATF Association (note that this request must be made by the athlete - see Regulation 7 in the USATF Governance Manual, Section III). All club affiliations must be finalized by close of declarations (Friday, February 7, 2020​). No club changes will be accepted after this date for the US Indoor Championships.

In addition to a club affiliation, athletes are able to represent one (1) corporate sponsor. This corporate sponsor must be a registered USATF Corporate Member and be part of the athlete's membership profile. Corporate Membership applications can be obtained by sending an e-mail to membership@usatf.org. *Note: All sponsor affiliations must be finalized by close of declarations. No sponsor changes will be accepted after this date for the Indoor Championships.

Athletes wishing to represent a branch of the Armed Forces of the United States must be registered with the membership committee of their local USATF Association.

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Pole Vault Transfers

The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) will provide airport pick-up at the Albuquerque International Sunport for vaulting poles beginning Wednesday, February 12, 2020. In order to qualify for this service, the Pole Vault Pick Up Declaration Form must be emailed to sportsmarketing@visitabq.org by Tuesday, February 11, 2020. This form will contain the athletes’, or responsible parties’, arrival and departure information. The LOC will then also arrange for poles to be returned to the Albuquerque International Sunport. Any unclaimed poles will be the responsibility and cost of the athlete.

Upon arrival at the Albuquerque International Sunport, poles must be left at the marked designated area located on the main baggage claim level next to the escalators. The athlete must then sign the pole declaration list located at the round visitor information desk. Please be sure to fill out when you plan to arrive at the airport for your departure.

Representatives from the LOC will pick up poles on a rotating schedule from the airport and convention center on the following days:

• Wednesday, February 12
• Thursday, February 13
• Friday, February 14
• Saturday, February 15
• Sunday, February 16

*Please allow up to 4 hours from your landing time for poles to arrive at the convention center.

Alternate arrangements for pole transfer will need to be made by the athlete for the following reasons:

• You require your poles in a shorter amount of time than 4 hours
• Your flight arrives to the Albuquerque International Sunport before 6:00am or after 9:00pm
• Your flight departs the Albuquerque International Sunport before 9:00am or after 9:00pm

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Travel Funding

An allocation of funds will be provided first to the defending US Indoor Champion in each event, and then to the top four ranked indoor performers, based on the 2020 U.S. Indoor List of marks achieved from November 15, 2019 – February 3, 2020 (on-time entry deadline). Note: For the multi-events, the qualifying period is January 1, 2019 through February 2, 2020. Please note the qualifying window to achieve marks is not the same as the qualifying period for travel funding.

If the defending US Indoor Champion is not entered by the on-time entry deadline (Monday, February 3, 2020 by 11:59 p.m. ET), funding will then be allocated to the top five (5) ranked performers in each event who have entered by the on-time entry deadline and who have met the qualifying mark as of the on-time entry deadline (February 3, 2020).

TRACK AND FIELD EVENTS

For these allocations, funds will be awarded to the top ranked athletes in the distances/disciplines being contested at the Championships and NOT FOR TIMES OR DISTANCES ACHIEVED IN ALTERNATE QUALIFYING DISTANCES/TIMES (i.e. rank in the 60m, but not 55m or 50m). The only exception to this would be in the case of the allocation to the Defending Champion, who simply needs to be ENTERED AND QUALIFIED in order to be allocated and, therefore, could use an alternate distance/time.

MULTI EVENTS

For these allocations, funds will be awarded to the top ranked athletes in the distances/disciplines being contested at the Championships and not for times or distances achieved in alternate qualifying distances/times (i.e. rank in the Pentathlon (women), but not Heptathlon or (Men), but not Pentathlon or Decathlon). The only exception to this would be in the case of the allocation to the Defending Champion, who simply needs to be entered and qualified in order to be allocated and, therefore, could use an alternate distance/time.

In order to be eligible for the USATF Indoor Championships travel allocations, an athlete must be a current USATF member in good standing; must have entered and achieved qualifying mark between November 15, 2019 – February 3, 2020 (on-time entry deadline); and must be a citizen of the United States of America who is eligible to represent the U.S. in international competition. Dual Citizens please take note.
 
*Note: For the Multi-Events, the qualifying window is January 1, 2019 through February 2, 2020.

POST TRAVEL FUNDING

In addition to the payments as described above, an allocation of funds will be provided to those athletes who were not allocated funding prior to the USATF Indoor Championships but who place in the top three (3) in their event at the 2020 USATF Indoor Championships.

TRAVEL FUNDING BREAKDOWN

• The airfare allocation will be based on a "supersaver" fare (21-day advance purchase/Saturday night stay-over from home city to Albuquerque, NM).
  • *Note: For the Multi-Events, the travel city is Baltimore, Washington (BWI).
• There will be a flat rate of $440 towards per diem/accommodations.

TRAVEL FUNDING DISTRIBUTION

• Athletes who qualify for pre-allocations will receive their checks at Credential pick-up at the Championships. Athletes who qualify for post travel funding will receive via check or ACH (direct deposit) after prize money payments are processed.
• ​If an athlete with collegiate eligibility covered their own travel expenses and is approved to receive funding, the university compliance representative should reach out to USATF via email (Sariyu.Suggs@usatf.org) to provide details/verification of the actual and necessary amount the athlete is eligible to receive.
• Athletes who are eligible to receive travel funding for this event are required to complete:
  • IRS Form W-9 Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification: Eligible athletes can email Sariyu.Suggs@usatf.org to request the electronic form link (via Team Works. The email should include, name, event name, and phone number where you can be reached. Athletes who already have a W9 on file that needs to make updates to (mailing address, name change, or tax classification, can also email Sariyu.Suggs@usatf.org to request the electronic form link (via Team Works).
  • ACH (Direct Deposit Form) will also be a requirement: USATF will reach out to the eligible athlete to request this information via an electronic form (via Team Works).
  • Please make sure your contact information (email address and phone number) is up-to-date under your USATF membership profile.

Please be aware that travel funding payments will be reported to the IRS as reportable income and is subject to federal, state and local income tax. Since no taxes are being withheld by USATF, you may have a tax liability at the time you file your tax return and you may want to consider setting aside some funds for this purpose.  If the amount of reportable income including all stipends, prize money, etc. is $600 or more cumulative during a tax year, USATF will issue a 1099 MISC. Receipts for travel may qualify for deductions against this reported income.  Please contact a tax advisor for further information.  USATF is not offering tax advice, but recipients of USATF funding and benefits are advised to retain their own tax professionals to receive guidance regarding tax implications.

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Awards & Prize Money

AWARDS

A Gold Medal, emblematic of the Championships of the United States of America, will be given to the winner of each Championship event, a Silver Medal to second place, and Bronze Medals to both third and fourth places.

PRIZE MONEY

For the 2020 USATF Indoor Championships, USATF will pay prize money to the first through fifth place finishers in each Championship event. The prize structure is as follows:

• 1st - $6,000
• 2nd - $4,000
• 3rd - $2,500
• 4th - $1,500
• 5th - $1,000

NOTES

• Please make sure your contact information (email address and phone number) is up-to-date under your USATF membership profile.
• Athletes with remaining collegiate eligibility should check with their university compliance department to see if they are eligible to receive this prize money according to NCAA rules. If an athlete with collegiate eligibility is approved to receive prize money, the university compliance representative should reach out to USATF via email (Sariyu.Suggs@usatf.org) to provide details/verification of the actual and necessary amount the athlete is eligible to receive.
• Athletes are eligible to receive prize money in more than one event.
• Athletes who are eligible to receive prize money for this event are required to complete:
  • IRS Form W-9 Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification: Eligible athletes can email Sariyu.Suggs@usatf.org to request the electronic form link (via Team Works. The email should include, name, event name, and phone number where you can be reached. Athletes who already have a W9 on file that needs to make updates to (mailing address, name change, or tax classification, can also email Sariyu.Suggs@usatf.org to request the electronic form link (via Team Works).
  • ACH (Direct Deposit Form) will also be a requirement: USATF will reach out to the eligible athlete to request this information via an electronic form (via Team Works).
• Please be aware that prize money payments will be reported to the IRS as reportable income and is subject to federal, state and local income tax.  Since no taxes are being withheld by USATF, you may have a tax liability at the time you file your tax return and you may want to consider setting aside some funds for this purpose.  If the amount of reportable income including all stipends, prize money, etc. is $600 or more cumulative during a tax year, USATF will issue a 1099 MISC. USATF is not offering tax advice, but recipients of USATF funding and benefits are advised to retain their own tax professionals to receive guidance regarding tax implications.

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