Foreign Athlete Provision

DATE UPDATED 3-10-03

Foreign Athlete Provision

Due to confusion at last year's J.O. Nationals and a clarification that we received at a recent USA Gymnastics Board of Directors Meeting, we felt it necessary to send you this memo so that everyone would have a clear understand of our policy on foreign athlete participation in our sanctioned events.

Sections 2 though 7 have been revised for the Rules and Policies to reflect these changes that are already in effect. I would like to bring your attention to two very important points:

* No foreign athlete will be allowed to participate at the Junior Olympic National Championships unless he has been clearly identified as a foreign athlete on the official Junior Olympic Nationals entry form.

* USA Gymnastics Board of Directors policy makes it impossible for a foreign athlete to participate as a member of a Regional Team at the Junior Olympic National Championships.

The Rules and Policies has been updated in the following manner:

Men's R&P section V:

II, B. Foreign Athletes

USA Gymnastics recognizes the positive benefits of having foreign athletes who are residing the United States participate in its sanctioned competitive events. However, USA Gymnastics has an obligation to observe all rules and regulations regarding the participation of foreign athletes as set forth by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG).

1. FIG regulations require that all Foreign Athletes (anyone without United States Citizenship) - regardless of age or competition level - must gain permission from the gymnastics federation of their country of citizenship and from USA Gymnastics before they may compete in any sanctioned USA Gymnastics event.

2. In order to fulfill the FIG requirements foreign athletes must:

a. Submit to the Men's Program of USA Gymnastics their request to compete in USA Gymnastics sanctioned events. This notification must include information regarding the athlete's country of citizenship. Foreign athletes must notify USA Gymnastics for each competitive season they wish to participate in.

b. Upon receiving a request to compete in USA Gymnastics sanctioned events, USA Gymnastics will request permission to participate from the athlete's country of citizenship.

c. USA Gymnastics will inform the athlete when permission to participate in USA Gymnastics sanctioned events has been granted. Foreign athletes must obtain a USA Gymnastics athlete membership before entering any sanctioned event and must clearly indicate that they are a foreign citizen on any sanctioned event entry form.

3. Foreign athletes are eligible and should receive awards at all meets, however, a duplicate award must also be awarded to any U.S. citizen that is displaced by the foreign athlete in the case of placement or ties.

4. Foreign athletes may not participate as a member of a Regional Team, All Star Team or be selected to any special team or camp unless a duplicate position on said team or in the camp is awarded to any U.S. citizen that is displaced by the foreign athlete. Foreign athletes may not participate as Regional Team Members at the Junior Olympic National Championships.

5. Foreign athletes are not eligible to compete at the U.S. Championships without special permission from the Men's Program Committee.

6. Foreign athletes may not become members of the National Development Team, the Junior National Team, Junior Elite National Team or Senior National Team.

Ron Galimore

Senior Director, Men's Program

USA Gymnastics