Elite Athlete Resources
If you plan to race professionally or semi-professionally, this is how to earn your elite license.
Elite triathlon membership is available to qualified, highly competitive and experienced athletes who meet the elite license qualifications as outlined in the Elite Triathlon License Qualification Criteria below. Only athletes holding an elite triathlon license are eligible to compete in the elite wave of any USA Triathlon sanctioned event that offers a minimum prize purse of $5,000. The terms "elite" and "professional" are used interchangeably but USA Triathlon prefers that these athletes be referred to as "elites" in order to align with World Triathlon and the USOPC.
Elite Athlete License Qualification Criteria (PDF)
All athletes who wish to compete in Junior, U23, and Elite Triathlon categories at World Triathlon events are required to complete and pass the USA Triathlon Safe Sport tutorial. Directions for completing SafeSport can be found below. This tutorial needs to be completed every year.
To complete the SafeSport Core Training, please follow the instructions below.
- Log into your USA Triathlon member account: https://member.usatriathlon.org
- On your dashboard, you should see a banner that says, "Invalid SafeSport Entry."
- Please click "Renew SafeSport."
- On the next page, look for the course with the "Start" button next to it. This is your required course for this year.
- Please note that you must complete SafeSport Trained or Refresher 1,2, or 3 to meet the SafeSport requirement. You are welcome to review the other SafeSport classes as well, but those classes will not satisfy the SafeSport requirement.
- Please save a copy of your SafeSport course completion certificate for your records.
- If you run into any technical difficulties, please email trisafesupport@usatriathlon.org.
Once you have completed the tutorial, please email the completed .pdf certificate to: elite@usatriathlon.org.
All athletes competing in World Triathlon competitions in Junior, U23, Elite Triathlon, and Elite Paratriathlon categories must have completed a pre-competition health screening which includes a questionnaire, a physical examination, and an ECG following the IOC's recommended procedure. Thereafter, all Junior, U23, Elite Triathlon, and Elite Paratriathlon athletes, competing in World Triathlon competitions must complete the medical questionnaire and undergo a medical examination each year, and in addition, must undergo a resting ECG every two years.
Please click here for the Medical Questionnaire and click here for the PPE certification.
The screening takes place in three steps:
- Answer the Medical Questionnaire: this questionnaire is strictly confidential and must be given to the doctor before the medical examination.
- Physical Examination: by the doctor following the IOC recommendations published in the "Lausanne Recommendations" about the Sudden Cardiovascular Death in Sport Consensus.
- A 12 lead rest electrocardiogram (ECG). Doctor to look for anomalies in rhythm, conduction, or repolarization.
Please click here to read further about this PPE.
Once you have completed your PPE, athletes should:
- Retain the original completed, dated, and signed questionnaire and PPE evaluation for your own records.
- Submit only the completed PPE certification to elite@usatriathlon.org for USAT to keep on file.
Note: athletes with a USA Triathlon Elite Athlete certification are not automatically part of the Elite Triathlon National Team. Athletes must also meet the following criteria, in addition to holding an elite license:
2026 USAT Elite Triathlon National Team Program Qualification Criteria PDF (Updated Jan. 2026)
USA Triathlon Background Check Policy
USA Triathlon Elite Athlete Disciplinary and Ombuds Policy (Updated July 2025)
The Mallow Junior/U25 National Team is a new men’s and women’s high performance developmental team named after USA Triathlon Foundation donors Audra and Michael Mallow (Pacific Palisades, Calif.).
The Mallow Junior/U25 National Team includes male and female U.S. junior and U25 athletes who are supported with travel funding to race at Continental Cups and international World Triathlon events, state of the art racing and training equipment, stipends for personal coaching and access to training, tactical and technique camps.
The team is led and supported by USA Triathlon high performance staff at training camps and international competitions, where athletes hone their craft against the best Junior and U25 athletes from around the world.
The Mallow Junior/U25 National Team is another team under USA Triathlon’s Olympic and Paralympic High Performance Elite Development Program, which includes Project Podium, the Elite Paratriathlon Resident Team, Collegiate Recruitment Program and Talent Identification (TID) programs.
2026 U25 Mallow National Team Program Criteria (PDF)
This Bridge Program is designed to help athletes bridge the gap to the Senior National Team and/or the Mallow Development National Team.
- Olympic Games Selection Procedures Task Force & Timeline (PDF) (Updated May 23, 2022)
- 2024 Olympic Games Selection Standard Operating Procedures
- 2024 Olympic Games Athlete Selection Procedures
- 2024 Olympic Games Athlete Selection Procedures Supplemental Document
- 2024 Olympic Games Selection Event Nomination Criteria
- 2024 Olympic Games Staff Selection Procedures
- USA Triathlon Selection Procedures Standard Operating Procedure (11/14/23, implemented 1/1/24)
2026 USAT World Triathlon Championship Series Event Selection Criteria (PDF)
2026 USAT World Triathlon Cup Event Selection Criteria (PDF)
2026 World Triathlon Event Nomination Deadlines
2026 USAT World Triathlon Continental Cup Event Selection Criteria (PDF)
2026 USA Triathlon International Competition Panel (ICP) Final (PDF)
Sign up for Elite Nomination Reminder Emails here.
The Mallow Junior/U25 National Team is a new men’s and women’s high performance developmental team named after USA Triathlon Foundation donors Audra and Michael Mallow (Pacific Palisades, Calif.).
The Mallow Junior/U25 National Team includes male and female U.S. junior and U25 athletes who are supported with travel funding to race at Continental Cups and international World Triathlon events, state of the art racing and training equipment, stipends for personal coaching and access to training, tactical and technique camps.
The team is led and supported by USA Triathlon high performance staff at training camps and international competitions, where athletes hone their craft against the best Junior and U25 athletes from around the world.
The Mallow Junior/U25 National Team is another team under USA Triathlon’s Olympic and Paralympic High Performance Elite Development Program, which includes Project Podium, the Elite Paratriathlon Resident Team, Collegiate Recruitment Program and Talent Identification (TID) programs.
2026 U25 Mallow National Team Program Criteria (PDF)
The 2026 World Triathlon U23 Championship Team Selection Criteria determines the athletes who will represent the United States at the 2026 World Triathlon U23 Championships in Pontevedra, Spain, on Sept. 23-27, 2026.
2026 World Triathlon U23 Championship Team Selection Criteria (PDF)
The 2026 World Triathlon Junior Championship Team Selection Criteria determines the athletes who will represent the United States at the 2026 World Triathlon Junior Championships in Pontevedra, Spain, Sept. 23-27, 2026.
2026 World Triathlon Junior Championship Team Selection Criteria (PDF)
This criteria determines the order by which USA Triathlon nominates eligible athletes for domestic and international World Triathlon events.
This 2026 FISU World University Championships Team Selection Criteria will be used to determine the athletes that will represent the United States at the 2026 International University Sports Federation (FISU) World University Championships in Nyon, Switzerland, on or about August 7-8, 2026. These selection criteria are designed to provide emerging college elite athletes who meet FISU age and academic eligibility requirements the opportunity to continue their development at the highest levels of international triathlon competition.
2026 FISU World University Championships Team Selection Criteria (PDF)
Junior athletes (ages 16-19) who wish to compete in a World Triathlon International Event (e.g. CAMTRI or ETU Junior Cups, CAMTRI Junior Championships, World Triathlon World Championships, World Triathlon Continental Cups, etc.) are required to undergo a Pre-Participation Exam (PPE) by their personal health care provider. The details of this are outlined in Rule 2.4 and Appendix Q of the World Triathlon Competition Rules. The PPE includes completion a World Triathlon-provided Medical Questionnaire reviewed by the athlete's doctor, an examination, and a 12 lead resting electrocardiogram (ECG) with results reviewed by the athlete's doctor. Upon completion of the PPE, the athlete will certify to USAT satisfactory completion using the form linked above. The athlete does not send his/her medical documentation to USAT. Athletes completing the PPE for the first time will use the Year 1 form with ECG. The following year, when the ECG is not required, athletes will submit the Year 2 form updating the date of their most recent physical exam. Certifications should be sent to juniors@usatriathlon.org.
World Triathlon Rule 2.4 Pre-Participation Exam (PPE)
USAT PPE Certification Form - Year 1 with ECG
USAT PPE Certification Form- Year 2 without ECG
The Office of the Athlete Ombuds offers independent, confidential advice to elite athletes regarding their rights and responsibilities in the Olympic and Paralympic Movement, and assists athletes with a broad range of questions, disputes, complaints and concerns.
Phone: 719-866-5000
Email: ombudsman@usathlete.org
Website: usathlete.org
Athlete Ombuds Confidentiality and Privacy Policy:
(A) In general.—The Office of the Athlete Ombuds shall maintain as confidential any information communicated or provided to the Office of the Athlete Ombuds in confidence in any matter involving the exercise of the official duties of the Office of the Athlete Ombuds. (B) Exception.—The Office of the Athlete Ombuds may disclose information described in subparagraph (A) as necessary to resolve or mediate a dispute, with the permission of the parties involved.(C) Judicial and administrative proceedings.—(i) In general.—The ombudsman and the staff of the Office of the Athlete Ombuds shall not be compelled to testify or produce evidence in any judicial or administrative proceeding with respect to any matter involving the exercise of the duties of the Office of the Athlete Ombuds.(ii) Work product.—Any memorandum, work product, notes, or case file of the Office of the Athlete Ombuds—(I) shall be confidential; and(II) shall not be—(aa) subject to discovery, subpoena, or any other means of legal compulsion; or (bb) admissible as evidence in a judicial or administrative proceeding. (D) Applicability.—The confidentiality requirements under this paragraph shall not apply to information relating to—(i) applicable federally mandated reporting requirements; (ii) a felony personally witnessed by a member of the Office of the Athlete Ombuds;(iii) a situation, communicated to the Office of the Athlete Ombuds, in which an individual is at imminent risk of serious harm; or (iv) a congressional subpoena.
Anti-Retaliation Statement:
USA Triathlon prohibits employees, contractors, agents, volunteers, or members of the USOPC from threatening or taking action against an athlete for disclosing information to or asking for the assistance of the Ombuds
The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) is dedicated to preserving the integrity of competition, inspiring true sport and protecting the rights of US Athletes. USADA oversees and coordinates the Olympic drug testing program in the United States. Athletes who compete, are members or license holders of an NGB, or who fall under USADA's testing jurisdiction as defined in the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement testing, are subject to testing both in and out of competition. Athlete are subject to both urine and blood testing that can occur at any time and in any place.
For more information regarding USADA's testing procedures and athlete rights and responsibilities, please visit their website www.usada.org.
USOPC Pivot Program - Empowering Athletes in Transition
Are you a Team USA athlete considering retirement, in the process of retiring, or already retired? The USOPC Pivot Program is a four-day, in-person personal development experience designed to help athletes navigate the challenges of transitioning out of their sport.
Join fellow Team USA athletes for meaningful discussions and activities focused on exploring your identity, understanding transitions, and developing essential life skills. For more information and to apply, please contact USOPC Athlete Services. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with your community and prepare for your next chapter!
Dates: June 12-15, 2025 (in-person) at The Cliff Lodge in Snowbird, Utah, plus six monthly virtual meetings.
Registration Deadline: Friday, April 25, 2025, or when full.
Capacity is limited to 20 athletes.
Bolder Money 1:1 Financial Coaching
Get access to financial coaching with Bolder Money!
The USOPC is partnering with Bolder Money to bring you 1:1 financial coaching so you can learn how to better manage your finances, maximize the money you have, and put your financial worries on the backburner so you can focus on your training and goals beyond sport. In this 3-month program, you will have access to a personal money coach and group coaching sessions with other athletes in the program. Based on the increasing demand for Financial Coaching, we are looking to expand the cohort size to provide more opportunities for athletes to take advantage of this service.
USOPC Tuition Grants
Continuing Education funding, open all year long...
Tuition grants are available to current elite, internationally competitive Team USA athletes and all Olympians and Paralympians.
Athletes may apply for more than one grant per year, requesting up to $4,500/yr for programs on qualifying tracks, including:
- Traditional Higher Education
- Vocational Programs
- Career Development and Life Training
Contact ace.edu@usopc.org with questions.