Sanctions

Dear Event Director:

Thank you for your interest in sanctioning your event with USA Track & Field. View and print the forms (.pdf files) you will need to sanction your event. (In order to read and print a .pdf file you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer.)

This Information Sheet contains information on the most frequently asked questions about the USATF Sanction Program.

Yours truly,

USATF Adirondack

USATF Sanction Information

USATF Sanction Overview – A USATF Sanction is an official designation issued by USATF, through a local Association, which approves and licenses the holding of a competitive track & field, long distance running or race walking event in the United States. The sanction is also a contract, which evidences the event’s commitment to follow the national and international rules and regulations of the sport and to provide a safe environment for the participants and spectators. Once the event has satisfied the sanction requirements, the event’s application for sanction is approved.

Sanction Fee Schedule – Two fees are involved to sanction an event; the Association fee and the National fee. You should submit two separate checks: one payable to “USATF Adirondack” (for the Association Sanction Fee) and one payable to “USATF” (for the National Sanction Fee). The Association and National Sanction Fees are listed below.

Submission Information – Send ALL Sanction forms to Lee Pollock, 17 Sylvan Ave, Queensbury, NY 12804. The APPLICATION FOR SANCTION must be received no later than 30 days prior to your event. We highly encourage you to submit your application as soon as you have all necessary elements in place. This will allow for the most efficient processing of your sanction and insurance certificates. Late fees for last minute certificate requests will be strictly enforced. These fees are noted on the REQUEST FOR CERTIFICATE OF LIABILITY INSURANCE form.

Sanction Benefits

1. Increased Prestige – For many events, the USATF sanction improves the events 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 logo to promote the fact that the governing body has sanctioned the event. You will find a copy of the USATF Sanction Event insignia enclosed.
2. Liability Insurance – Most governmental entities including cities, counties, state highway departments, parks and community centers require general liability insurance for all events. The cost of a sanction is very inexpensive compared to the prices of most event insurance policies. It is important to know that events that are already insured may choose to waive the insurance coverage and pay a lower sanction fee.
3. Medical Insurance for Athletes – 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 our members, but it serves as a valuable deterrent to lawsuits.
4. Records – In general, for non-road events, a sanction is required for a record to be set. There are some exceptions to this rule, however.
5. Resolving Disputes – If requested, USATF will act as an arbiter in disputes between athletes and sanctioned events.
6. Sanctioned events are included in the Calendar of Events published by the Adirondack Association, and may be included in event calendars published at the national level (as appropriate).

Liability Insurance – One of the main benefits of sanctioning your event is that the event organizer will be provided with liability insurance coverage. Once your application is approved, you will receive a copy of the approved sanction with our office’s signature and a national control number affixed. The approved sanction is your proof of insurance.

Insurance Coverage for Third Parties – You may request that a “third party” (governmental entities, schools, sponsors, etc.) be included as an additional insured under your event’s coverage. To do this you will need to complete the REQUEST FOR CERTIFICATE OF LIABILITY INSURANCE form. Please TYPE or PRINT Legibly so that the certificates can be correctly produced.

Elite Sanction – All athletics competitions held within the United States that meet one or more of the following criteria shall be issued an Elite sanction: a) awards at least one individual prize greater than $500; b) invites at least one non-resident foreign athlete; c) serves as a National Championship selection trial for an international team; or d) is subject to formal drug testing procedures. Events that meet one or more of the above criteria must submit an Elite Sanction Addendum in addition to the Application for Sanction. Call our office to obtain this addendum.