USAT AAC

All-
The AAC just found out that our resolution regarding prize money for
amateurs is due tomorrow! So, this doesn't leave much time, but please
let us know ASAP if you have any support to help us add to the
following resolution draft. Please let us know if you have any other
reasons why this is important? Do any of you NOT agree with this change?
Thanks,
Alison & the Athletes Advisory Council

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Resolution for Board Action
Subject: Prize Purse Limits

Background: At events with $5,000+ in cash prize money, USA
Triathlon's rules limit the elite division to athletes holding a USAT
elite license or an elite license from an ITU member federation. Races
with $5,000+ cash prize purses also require compliance with USAT elite
competition rules. In races with $4,999 and below, amateur athletes
are allowed to race along with elites for the prize purse.

Elite athletes compete in triathlon as a means to make a living,
traveling nationally and internationally to races with prize purses.
Allotting a portion of a prize money purse to amateurs degrades from
the growth of elite triathlon and the number of athletes who will
pursue elite racing in the U.S.

Further, the purpose of amateur sports should not be for financial
gain. Offering prize money to amateurs sends the wrong message about
the purpose of amateur sport.

Further, race directors state that offering prize money for amateurs
helps draw participants to the field. However, the number of amateur
athletes who will plan and adjust racing schedules according to prize
money purses below $5,000 is minimal. Race directors have the
opportunity to offer value-in-kind (VIK) prizes to amateurs, but money
should not be a driver for amateur competition.

This resolution seeks to change the prize money limit from $4,999 to
$0 for amateur athletes.

Financial Impact: None.

Relevant & Affected By-Laws and Procedures:
USAT Competitive Rules: An event with a minimum $5000.00 prize purse
must limit the Elite division to athletes holding a USAT Elite License
or an Elite license from an ITU member federation. All prize money is
reserved for the Elite division.

Whereas, the definition of "amateur" is "one who engages in a pursuit,
study, science, or sport as a pastime rather than as a profession"

Whereas, elite multi-sport athletes rely on their racing careers to
earn a living;

Whereas, the purpose of amateur racing should not be to earn money. If
an athletes is in the sport for money, they should race as an elite;

Whereas, taking prize money and awarding it to amateurs degrades from
the growth of elite triathlon and the number of athletes who will
pursue elite racing in the U.S.

Whereas, race directors will still have the option to offer VIK prizes
to amateurs;

Now therefore be it resolved that, USAT triathlon's minimum cash prize
purse for elites be changed from $5,000 to $0.

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