USATF will issue media credentials to “members of the working press”. By definition, a “member of the working press” shall be a paid employee or representative of a known and established “media organization”. By definition, a “media organization” is either a person or entity engaged in disseminating information to the general public through a newspaper, magazine, or other accepted publication, radio, television, or other medium of mass communication. Clubs (including those representing clubs/teams/athletes, i.e. photographer shooting on behalf of a club or an individual athlete), and coaches will not be credentialed as media. Having been credentialed at previous USATF, World Athletics, NCAA, Olympic, or other related events does not guarantee acceptance. Journalists who receive credentials must be on assignment for a reputable media organization as outlined above that has a record of consistently covering the sport. All photographers will be required to submit a letter of assignment to the USATF communications team to be considered for a credential. Content creators will be required to submit a content plan prior to approval. Freelance reporters must be able to submit a letter of assignment upon request. On a case-by-case basis, USATF will consider applications for media credentials from independent online media representatives. Credentials will be granted to these individuals if space allows and after all established media organizations have been accommodated. All journalists who wish to attend USATF events must submit a media credential application. Journalists, and their editors, who apply for credentials acknowledge they have read and agree to these media eligibility guidelines as well as USATF’s broadcast restrictions. Organizations may request more than one media credential, however, USATF reserves the right to limit the number of credentials allocated to any media organization in its sole discretion. USATF does not guarantee that any credentials will be awarded to any organization.
Media credential applications must be received by the established deadlines. USATF will not guarantee that media who submit their applications after the deadline will be accommodated. Submitting an application in no way guarantees that you will receive a credential. Space may be limited and only a specific number of media credentials will be issued per event.
USATF encourages all media organizations to attend USATF events. However, if there is a limitation on the number of credentials issued for a specific event, USATF will consider the following criteria, in order of significance, when issuing approval:
An acceptance or rejection email will be sent to the applicant and/or editor listed on the application no later than 10 days after the application deadline. Please contact communications@usatf.org if you have a question about the status of your application.
Credential Use Conditions Credentials must be worn and visible at all times during the event. Each credential is issued specifically for the journalist who was accepted through the credential process. Any media outlet that wishes to change the name(s) of its credentialed media must submit a new credential request. If the change is to take place after the credential deadline has passed, contact communications@usatf.org prior to the event. Credentials may not be given or loaned to another person for any reason, failure to adhere to this can result in the loss of credential for all parties involved Credentialed journalists will receive admission to the event, access to media work areas, mixed zone, and to any spaces designated for media in the venue. Misuse of a USATF media credential will result in the immediate loss of the credential, removal from the media areas and the possible loss of credential privileges for future events for the journalist and the assigning media agency.
Photographers must be on assignment from a known and established media organization and use professional camera equipment. Photographers must attend mandatory photo meetings, as outlined in a media alert sent prior to competition by a member of the USATF communications staff All photographs taken at the event are to be used solely for non-commercial editorial purposes by the publication and website for which an individual is credentialed. Photography is for editorial and/or personal use only and may not be published otherwise. If a photographer is working on behalf of multiple outlets, they must disclose all outlets in their application. Failure to comply with the policies stated in the preceding paragraph will result in the immediate loss of credential privileges for all future USATF events. Additionally, the media outlet associated with the photographer in violation of such policies will lose the ability to credential a photographer at future USATF events. Updated 2/14/2025