USAT AAC

Hello all,
The following two resolutions were passed by the Board of Directors
last week. Please note- the elite membership criteria is only
applicable for athletes turning from amateur to elite status.
Thanks,
Alison

Subject: Elite Triathlon Membership Qualification Criteria

Background: USA Triathlon's elite triathlon qualification criterion
was last updated in January 2005 in an effort to raise the bar of US
elite performances and professionalism. While the criterion does meet
this objective, it focuses too heavily on field size and does not
account for field quality. For example, if an athlete is the overall
winner at Amateur Worlds, they are still required to finish top-8 in 2
more (or 1 more Ultra-distance) events with 500+ participants. The
added travel and resources required for the additional 1-2 races could
be better spent in the elite ranks.

Therefore, this resolution proposes the addition of new qualification
options that are at a high enough level that they would merit an elite
license.

Financial Impact: None.

Relevant & Affected By-Laws and Procedures:
Article 2 Section 2.4
Article 6 of the Bylaws

(Current) Elite Qualification Criteria:
Any athlete who chooses to compete as an elite triathlete must meet at
least one of the three (3) criteria listed below:

CRITERIA A:
Finish top-eight overall and within 8 percent of the overall winner's
time, according to gender, in at least three (3) USAT sanctioned
events that occurred within the past 12 months and had at least 500
participants. No exceptions will be made.

CRITERIA B:
Finish within 8 percent of the overall winner's time in at least two
(2) ultra- distance events that included an elite field (offering $5k
or greater in prize purse) that occurred within the past 12 months and
had at least 500 participants. Ultra distance is defined as any
distance equal to or greater than a 4K swim, 112-mile bike and
26.2-mile run. Events must have been sanctioned by USA Triathlon. No
exceptions will be made.

CRITERIA C:
Finish within 8 percent of the overall winner's time in one (1)
ultra-distance event that included an elite field (offering $5k or
greater in prize purse) that occurred within the past 12 months and
had at least 500 participants AND finish top-eight and within 8
percent of the overall winner's time, according to gender, in at least
one (1) USAT sanctioned event that occurred within the past 12 months
and had at least 500 participants.

Whereas, the goal of USAT's elite membership criteria is to
objectively and efficiently select the highest caliber athletes for
elite status;

Whereas, the current criterion takes into account field size without
regard for field quality;

Whereas, some performances are at such an exceptional level that they
alone merit elite status;

Whereas, if an athlete has proven their ability through exceptional
performances at the highest level of the sport, it is not necessary to
require further proof that the athlete merits elite status;

Now therefore be it resolved that, USAT elite triathlon qualification
criterion is changed to the following:

In order to apply for USAT's elite triathlon membership, an athlete
must meet at least ONE of the following criteria in the past 12 months:

1. Finish within 8% of the winning elite time (on the same course as
elites) in 3 USAT sanctioned events that offered an elite/pro prize purse.

2. Finish top-10 overall and within 8% of the winner's time at ITU Age
Group World Championships.

3. Finish top-10 overall in the amateur field at Ironman World
Championships.

4. Finish top-5 overall and within 8% of the winner's time at USAT Age
Group National Championships.

5. Finish top-5 overall and within 8% of the winner's time at USAT
Collegiate National Championships.

6. Finish top-3 overall in the amateur field at an Elite Qualifying
Race. The list of Elite Qualifying Races is determined by the AAC each
year and published on USAT's website.

All race results from 2007 will be required to meet the 2007 elite
membership criteria. If any 2008 results are submitted as part of an
athlete's elite membership application, the athlete will be required
to qualify via the 2008 criteria outlined above.

This criterion will take effect January 1, 2008.

Submitted by:
Alison DeWall, Elite Athlete Advocate on behalf of the AAC
Joe Umphenour, USAT Board of Directors Member

----------------
Resolution for Board Action

Subject: Athletes Advisory Council (AAC) Membership

Background: USA Triathlon's AAC is comprised of five athletes who are
current elite athletes.

Besides the requirement that the athletes meet USAT's elite membership
criteria, there are no further performance requirements to serve on
the AAC.

However, the USOC has recommended (but not mandated) that USAT's AAC
members meet the same criteria that's required of elite BOD reps (see
below):

An athlete must have "represented the United States in the Olympic,
Pan American or Paralympic Games, World Championships, or an event
designated as an Operation Gold event within the ten (10) years
preceding election."

The only difference being, BOD athletes must meet the criteria for ITU
racing, while AAC members could meet the criteria in any USAT
discipline (triathlon, long distance triathlon, duathlon or aquathlon).

Making this change to the composition of the AAC has several benefits.
First, it opens up the pool of athletes to those who are retired (the
current criteria requires athletes to be active elites). Second, it
addresses the fact that successful athletes generally have the most
experience and the best understanding of what it takes to make it to
the top, therefore better equipping them to make policy
decisions/recommendations to USAT. Third, it alleviates some of the
pushback and challenges the AAC receives from the USOC, USAT and
National Team Members when lower performing (or unknown) elite athlete
reps make policy decisions that affect the highest performing athletes
or even the Olympic qualification process.

The second part of the resolution is to require each USAT Elite Board
representative to automatically serve as an AAC representative (e.g.
when an athlete runs for the Board, they are also running to be on the
AAC). Since USAT's elite Board members are currently included in all
AAC communications, votes and decisions, there will be no change to
the workload of elite Board reps. This change will decrease the total
number of elite representatives from eight to five (3 BOD/AAC reps and
2 AAC-only reps), which is a more efficient and workable size. It will
also insure that there is significant ITU athlete involvement on the AAC.

Financial Impact: None.

Relevant & Affected By-Laws and Procedures:
Bylaw Article X1, Section 2, (e):
The Athletes' Advisory Council shall consist of five (5) members, each
of whom shall be selected by and each of whom shall be a member of the
Elite Pool (as defined in Article VI, Section 2 above). For the year
1997, the members of the Athletes' Advisory Council shall be the
persons serving on the Board of Directors of the United States
Professional Triathlete and Duathlete Commission immediately prior to
the dissolution of the United States Professional Triathlete and
Duathlete Commission.

Whereas, the current bylaws require AAC members to be current, active
elites, however it's advantageous to include retired athletes since
they are more experienced and less personally involved in the sport.

Whereas, this change would align the AAC with the USOC's policies
(note- this isn't required of the AAC, however it's recommended by the
USOC);

Whereas, the most experienced athletes have the best base of
understanding of the intricacies of the sport;

Whereas, having lower performing elites on the AAC leads to less
credibility for decisions;

Whereas, it is expected that USAT would be more likely to use the AAC
as a trusted advisor if the athletes comprising the Committee have a
strong understanding of and experience at the highest echelon of
performance;

Whereas, all USAT elites will still be encouraged to reach out to the
AAC with any concerns or issues. The AAC would still be responsible
for representing elite athletes at all levels.

Whereas, a working group of five elites will be easier to recruit,
easier to manage and more efficient than a group of eight elite reps.

Now therefore be it resolved that Bylaw Article X1, Section 2, (e) be
changed to the following:

The Athletes' Advisory Council shall consist of five (5) members, each
of whom has represented the United States in the Olympic, Pan
American, Paralympic Games or World Championships in triathlon, long
distance triathlon, duathlon or aquathlon within the past ten (10)
years or whom has finished in the top-15 at Ironman World
Championships within the past ten (10) years preceding the election.
Further, the three elite athletes elected to USAT's Board of Directors
shall automatically hold three of the five slots on the AAC.

This change will take effect January 1, 2008.

Submitted by:
Alison Hankins (DeWall), USAT Elite Athlete Advocate
Joe Umphenour, USAT Board of Directors Member

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