For many events, the USATF sanction improves the event's public perception. A sanction tells athletes that an event is being run according to applicable competition rules. Sanctioned events have the ability to use the USATF event designation logo to promote the fact that the governing body has sanctioned the event.
Most governmental entities including cities, counties, state highway departments, parks and community centers require general liability insurance for all events. A sanction provides cost-effective event insurance, with best-in-class coverage. It is important to know that events that are already insured may choose to waive the insurance coverage and pay a lower sanction fee. Events that waive USATF liability insurance still gain the other benefits of a USATF sanction.
Any athlete who is a USATF member and is injured while participating in a sanctioned event will be eligible for secondary medical insurance coverage for the injury. This insurance not only provides valuable coverage to USATF members, but it serves as a valuable deterrent to lawsuits.
This add-on insurance coverage is available to USATF sanctioned events to provide medical liability coverage for volunteer physicians and all other volunteer healthcare providers providing support to participants, volunteers and spectators during sanctioned events.
USATF has worked with its third party risk manager, Integro Entertainment & Sport, to make the following program available to USATF event directors. This program is not included as part of the general liability offered through the USATF sanction program, but compliments the USATF sanction program by providing additional coverage event directors may want and need for their business activities. The USA Track & Field Event Directors Program offers General Liability, Hired and Non-Owned Auto Liability and Physical Damage, and Inland Marine (property) coverage to event directors for their day to day business operations. This additional policy provides general liability protection for claims brought by third parties alleging bodily injury, property damage, and personal or advertising injury in connection with covered activities. This program is intended to provide coverage outside the scope of the set-up, operations, and break-down of the actual event and does not cover the actual event itself. Any inquiries in regards to the purchase of this additional coverage should be sent to Integro Entertainment & Sport. Click here for more information.
Sanctioned events will be included in the USATF online calendar and be highlighted to distinguish them from non-sanctioned events.
In general, a sanction is required for a record to be set. There are some exceptions to this rule, however.
If requested, USATF will act as an arbiter in disputes between athletes and sanctioned events.
Each Association may provide additional benefits to its sanctioned events. Please contact your local Association for more details.