Athlete Responsibilities

As a condition of participation in sport, and to ensure a level playing field, athletes must comply with anti-doping rules and regulations from:

• The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), including the World Anti-Doping Code
• Major Event Organizers (e.g., specific rules related to the Olympic or Paralympic Games)
• Their International Federation
• The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), including the USADA Protocol
• The USOPC, including the USOPC National Anti-Doping Policy
• Their NGB

Athletes agree to submit to testing and to be subject to the results management (adjudication) process from USADA or other Anti-Doping Organization with results management authority.

Applicable Documents:

World Anti-Doping Code

USADA Protocol

USOPC NADP

The U.S. Center for SafeSport (Center) is recognized by the United States Congress, the USOPC, and the NGBs as the official independent safe sport organization for all Olympic, Paralympic, Pan American and Parapan American sports in the U.S. The SafeSport Code defines the rights and responsibilities of athletes with respect to prohibited conduct, reporting requirements and resolution procedures.

Athlete responsibilities include:

• Abide by SafeSport Code and SafeSport Policies
• Abide by the measures and sanctions that are put in place by the USOPC, NGBs, and the Center for SafeSport.
• Complete SafeSport Training requirements
• Abide by their NGB Athlete Safety Policy and Background Check Policy
• Abide by the USOPC Athlete Safety Policy and Behavior Requirements (found within the USOPC Delegation Terms) and Background Check Policy if at a Delegation Event
• Abide by their NGB Athlete Safety Policy and Background Check Policy
• Abide by the USOPC Code of Conduct if an Athlete Representative on Executive Board or Committee

Applicable Documents:

See the Athlete Safety page or click below

• SafeSport Code
• USOPC Athlete Safety Policy
• USOPC Background Check Policy

Athletes have additional obligations to the USOPC, while a member of Team USA, at a Trials or Delegation Event, receiving USOPC benefits or support, training at an Olympic & Paralympic Training Center (OPTC), acting as a USOPC AAC representative, or acting as an athlete representative on the USOPC Board or a USOPC Committee.

While in one of those roles, athletes must abide by (as applicable):

• USOPC Trials Rules (e.g., Commercial, Demonstration, COVID-19 rules)
• USOPC Delegation Event Rules (e.g., Demonstration, COVID-19 rules)
• USOPC Delegation Terms (for a Delegation Event)
• OPTC Handbook and OPTC Code of Conduct, when using, participating or residing at an OPTC
• USOPC Code of Conduct if an athlete representative on the USOPC Board or a USOPC Committee
• USOPC Athlete Benefit Designee Forms (for Athlete Stipends, EAHI and Operation Gold)
• Any other terms in any other agreement entered into directly with the USOPC

Athletes have obligations to their NGB as a member of the NGB, participation in NGB events/programs, use of NGB facilities, receipt of NGB benefits or services, or participation on a national team.

As a condition of participation, athletes must abide by (as applicable):

• Membership requirements
• NGB Code of Conduct
• NGB Media Releases
• NGB Athlete Agreement
• Any National Team/Event Rules

NOTE: Athletes are NOT required to agree to any NGB commercial terms as a condition of participation. (see USOPC NGB and Athlete Agreements Policy)

Applicable Documents:

• USOPC Policy Regarding NGB Athlete Agreements – outlines athletes’ rights as well as what athletes may be required to abide by as a condition of participation as a member, in an event, or on a team.

Athletes have obligations to their International Federation, the IOC, IPC, PanAm Sports, and/or other Major Event Organizers when a member of or competing in events under those third-party entities' jurisdiction. Athletes also have obligations to comply with local international laws when competing abroad.

Athletes must abide by (as applicable):

• IF rules and regulations
• Olympic Charter
• IPC Handbook
• PanAm Sports Constitution
• International event-specific rules, policies and guidelines
• Local laws