Retirement

Retirement Policy

Athletes who wish to retire from the sport must complete the following two steps.

1. Once an athlete decides to retire, he/she should notify USATF in writing regarding the decision. Please contact antidoping@usatf.org to be provided with a Notice of Retirement Form. Once completed and notarized, the form must be returned to USATF for processing.
2. USATF will connect the retiring athlete with the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) to confirm his/her retirement and facilitate removal from the Registered Testing Pool (RTP).

USATF Benefits Enrollment

Elite athletes who are enrolled in benefits through USATF and/or the USOPC will be removed from the benefits system. Upon confirmation of retirement, the athlete will have thirty (30) days before membership in the benefits system is canceled.

Any questions regarding benefits administered through USATF should be directed to Sariyu Suggs, USATF High Performance Programs and Finance Support Manager (sariyu.suggs@usatf.org).

To bridge the gap between USOPC Elite Athlete Health Insurance (EAHI) and new medical insurance, athletes can pay to temporarily extend their EAHI coverage for up to 12 months after the date their EAHI eligibility  ends or to select alternative coverage.

Return from Retirement

Any athlete who later wishes to return from retirement must comply with the following steps.

1. The athlete should notify USATF in writing regarding the decision. Please contact antidoping@usatf.org to be provided with a Return from Retirement Form, which must be returned once completed.
2. USATF will connect the athlete with USADA to confirm his/her return to the sport and re-enroll in the USADA RTP. Any athlete returning from retirement will be treated as a new athlete to the USADA RTP and will be notified by USADA in accordance with the USOPC National Anti-Doping Policies.
3. The athlete must comply with all drug tests administered during the relevant six (6) month period prior to any athletic competition. The athlete must successfully complete all drug tests administered during the specified period preceding the date of re-eligibility.

Please refer to the USADA Retirement Responsibilities page for more information.

Retirement FAQs

Who is eligible to retire?

• Any athlete enrolled with USATF is eligible to retire at any time.

Who do I notify of my intent to retire?

• An athlete who wishes to retire should notify USATF by contacting antidoping@usatf.org.

How will retiring affect USADA testing policies?

• After submitting a Notice of Retirement to USADA, athletes will be removed from the USADA Registered Testing Pool (RTP) and will no longer be required to submit Whereabouts or complete out-of-competition testing.

• Any athlete who has committed an anti-doping offense prior to retirement will still be subject to discipline pursuant to governing regulations.

Will my benefits stop?

• Yes, elite athletes enrolled in USOPC and/or USATF benefits will be given thirty (30) days’ notice before benefits are canceled. Any athlete who is enrolled in the USOPC Elite Athlete Health Insurance will have the option to enroll in the USOPC Continuance Plan for one (1) year or to select alternate coverage.

May I return to competition?

• Any athlete who later wishes to return to competition must make the decision and comply with all anti-doping test administered during the six (6) months preceding any planned athletic competition.

• The necessary steps to return from retirement are outlined above.

Please direct any questions to the appropriate USATF department.

• Retirement: antidoping@usatf.org (317)713-4670
• Benefits: Sariyu.Suggs@usatf.org (317)713-4689
• USADA Retirement Process