Scheduling Update - USATF elite competitions

The uncertainty surrounding professional sporting events in 2020 has left many elite athletes, coaches, athlete representatives, and fans asking if USATF will hold a national championship in 2020.  Since April, an advisory group of select High Performance Committee members and National Office staff have been meeting regularly, discussing and developing contingency plans and potential options for safely hosting a national season ending event in 2020.  Because the situation with the COVID-19 pandemic is continually changing, it continues to challenge all professional sports in their ability to apply their contingency plans and for USATF to set an exact date and location for some form of a Championships event.

Also being discussed is whether it is best to offer a National Championships event in track & field, which the United States has done every year, without interruption for over 120 years, or offer a season ending US-only elite meet without the national championships designation.  The changing nature of the COVID-19 in various locations have disparately affected athletes’ ability to train effectively, and a National Championships designation may cause some athletes to feel pressure to train when their current environment may add additional risk.  This designation is being discussed and will be determined.

Below is an overview of USATF’s current contingency plans for a 2020 US Open or national season ending event.  First and foremost, in this planning is mitigating risk for athletes, coaches, officials, and staff who would travel to and participate in the season ending meet.  Included is an initial milestone date for decisions on event viability and release of additional logistical details for planning purposes.

**NOTE: With the ever-changing nature of the pandemic, these contingency plans below will likely be altered.  Even when the milestone date is reached and if the event is officially confirmed, a later decision to cancel the meet due to the COVID-19 situation is entirely possible**


General Information for a 2020 US Open / national season ending meet
Philosophy:  Maximize safety / mitigate risk for athletes, coaches, and staff;  for those who want to compete, provide two separate competition opportunities within a single travel effort;  allow those not qualified based on mark a final opportunity to qualify at a preliminary Open meet at the same site in the days immediately preceding the US Open / season ending meet;  give athletes enough time from the event confirmation announcement to adequately prepare.

Projected dates:  To be held within one of two possible weeks – either the week ending Sunday September 13, 2020 OR the week ending Sunday September 20, 2020.

Projected location:  To be determined, based on facility availability, state and local COVID-19 status, and state and local guidelines on mass gatherings.

Safety considerations:  For athlete protection, athletes in all events would need to test negative on two separate USATF administered COVID-19 tests after arrival to the meet location.  No quarantine or “bubble” living required, but athletes encouraged to self-isolate and socially distance after arrival.  Meet officials, meet staff, and coaches would be required to perform in-stadium event duties in a socially distanced manner and wear masks.  Temperature checks for all participants to enter the stadium.  A determination on fans being allowed to attend will be made based on recommendations of local health authorities.

Athletes should make an informed decision about travel and competition, based on their personal level of risk tolerance (more information can be found here concerning USATF COVID-19 safety efforts and general risks associated with travel and competition).

Projected format:  Three day meet with reduced field sizes, reduced number of rounds (two rounds 800m and down, finals only all field events and remaining distance events), and athletes limited to declaring in (only) one event to maximize competitive opportunity for all (see USATF Open meet information below for a second competition opportunity at the same site).  Multi-events could be held at same location and dates or a separate multis-only event (TBA).

Qualifying:  1) A national descending order list to be used (qualifying window and conversion of indoor marks TBA);  2) automatic qualification based on place finish at a USATF Open meet, to be held the two days immediately preceding the Championships / season ending meet at the same site (can also be used as a tune up meet by already qualified athletes);  3) USATF Rule 8 automatic qualifiers (e.g., defending champion, recent OG / WC medalist, etc.)

Travel funding:  All USATF Tier, TPP, and designated development athletes who are qualified for and compete in the US Open / season ending meet will receive an allocation for travel (amount TBA).

Milestone dates:  A decision to confirm the event will be made on or about July 15, 2020.  If a decision is made to move forward, specific details on event logistics, qualifying, travel and housing, event schedule, etc. will be announced at that time.

**Even if the meet is confirmed, a later decision to cancel the meet due to the COVID-19 situation is entirely possible**