Opportunity To Participate

Protected Competition: As defined in the USOPC Bylaws, Protected Competition means:

• Any Delegation Event
  • the Olympic Games, the Olympic Winter Games, the Paralympic Games, the Paralympic Winter Games, the Pan American Games, and the Parapan Am Games;

• A Qualifying Competition

  • NGB Qualifying Competition: Any competition or activity organized or approved by the NGB (e.g., team selection camp, tryout, national championship, Trials event) where the athlete’s performance or results are considered in the published selection criteria to represent the United States in a Delegation Event.

  • International Qualifying Competition: Any international sport competition where (i) athletes represent the United States against athletes representing other nations, (ii) the NGB officially designates entrants, as required by the competition organizers, and (iii) athlete results or performance are included in the published criteria (i.e., International Federation qualification system or NGB selection criteria) to qualify, or be selected, to represent the United States in a Delegation Event.

USOPC Responsibilities

• Oversee NGB compliance through the NGB audit and certification policies and processes, including sport performance operations
• Approve NGB selection procedures for Delegation Events
• Establish and maintain provisions in its bylaws for the swift and equitable resolution of disputes involving any of its members and relating to an athlete’s opportunity to participate in protected competition (See Grievance & Dispute Resolution)

NGB Responsibilities

Protected Competitions:

• Provide an equal opportunity to participate without discrimination on the of race, color, religion, sex, age, or national origin
• Provide fair notice and opportunity for a hearing before declaring an athlete ineligible to participate
• Publish athlete participation criteria for all Protected Competitions
• Ensure that selection procedures are fair, clearly articulated in writing, properly communicated to athletes in a timely manner; and consistently applied

Delegation Events:

• Not have eligibility criteria more restrictive than the appropriate international federation
• Establish clear selection procedures that are approved by a Designated Committee and the USOPC, and are timely disseminated to athletes; effectively conduct a selection process in accordance with such selection procedures; and competently and timely recommend to the USOPC athletes, teams, and team officials as applicable

Athlete Services Team Selection

USOPC Policy Regarding NGB Athlete Agreements

Beijing Games Delegation Terms

Athlete Commercial Guidelines

Personal Performance Gear