National Team Processing

Overview

USATF typically fields approximately 15 teams composed of elite-level athletes to attend international competitions each year. Selection for these teams will come from either athlete self-selection via head-to-head competition at the applicable USATF National Championships OR via performance ranking. For both methods of selection, USATF will conduct Team Processing according to the selection procedures as established by the appropriate USATF Sports Committee.

Qualifying for Selection

• Not only must the selections procedures be followed, but also standards and qualifying criteria often complicate the process. Considerations include, but are not limited to:
• Qualifying Standards – Most international competitions have qualifying standards. Athletes may need to meet a qualifying standard for the meet in which they are hoping to compete.
• Qualifying Period – For those international competitions requiring an athlete to meet a qualifying standard, a window of time is given within which the athlete must achieve the standard.
• Acceptance onto the Team – If an athlete does not accept a position on a USATF National Team, USATF will require the athlete to complete a form to officially declare their intention NOT to compete on the National Team.
• Age Requirements – Applicable for Under 20 (U20) and NACAC Under 23 (U23) Championships. Minimum age requirements apply to the World Championships and Olympic Games.
• Citizenship Requirements – An athlete must meet be a citizen of the United States and, under USATF and IAAF rules, eligible to represent the USA at all levels of international competition.
• USATF Membership – An athlete must be a USATF member in good standing at the time of the selection through the end of the applicable international competition.
• U.S. Passport – Athletes selected for a USATF International Team must possess a valid passport that does not expire within six months of the applicable international competition (and must be able to present their passport or a copy of passport at Team Processing (when applicable).

Team Processing

Team Processing refers to the course of action, including completion of a series of paperwork that an athlete is required to complete in order to be officially declared a member of a USATF International Team. In-person Team Processing will typically be conducted at the USATF Outdoor Championships (and the USATF Indoor Championships in the years where a World Indoor Championships team is to be selected). Eligible athletes who qualify for selection to an International Team MUST attend the in-person Team Processing if conducted at the qualifying competition. Failure to complete the in-person Team Processing, will result in an athlete forfeiting their spot on the applicable International Team. 
 
For those teams where an in in-person Team Processing is not offered, athletes will be processed virtually and a member of the USATF International Teams department will contact eligible athletes according to the according to the selection procedures as established by the appropriate USATF Sports Committee.
 
Many variables exist in International Team selection and Team Processing is the final step to confirm an athlete for a Team. This overview is meant only as a reference. Please refer to the applicable selection procedures for each International Team for complete information on athlete selection.