Elite Development
Do you have what it takes to become a part of USA Triathlon's High Performance pipeline? USA Triathlon’s Talent ID Program, Youth, Junior & U23 Development Program and Paratriathlon Talent ID Program teams were created to support elite and up-and-coming athletes in pursuing their athletic dreams. Learn more about the sport of triathlon and USA Triathlon's programs that can help you start your elite triathlon journey.
Elite Development Pathways#
There are several paths to an elite triathlon career. Whether you're a collegiate swimmer or runner, a junior or U23 triathlete, or a paratriathlete, there's a pathway for you. Learn more below — including how to earn your elite license — and start your elite triathlon journey today.
Talent ID Program
Learn MoreFollow in the footsteps of Olympic medalists Gwen Jorgensen, Katie Zaferes and Morgan Pearson. The Talent ID Program identifies, mentors and supports former collegiate runners and swimmers with unique skillsets that could translate to success in elite triathlon.
Youth, Junior & U23 Development
Learn MoreYoung triathletes ages 13-19 — dream, plan and reach your goals! Learn about Youth & Junior Camps, high performance development teams and development races.
Project Podium
Learn MoreProject Podium is a daily high performance training environment, for college-aged triathletes chasing Olympic medals. Project Podium is a USA Triathlon men’s elite development program based at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona.
Paratriathlon Development
Learn MoreAre you a para athlete interested in elite paratriathlon? The USA Paratriathlon Talent ID Program is a high performance program that finds, funds, advises, supports and mentors potential Paralympic athletes.
How to Earn Your Elite License#
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.
All athletes who wish to compete in Junior, U23, Elite Triathlon, and Elite Paratriathlon 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.
Elite Teams Qualification#
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:
2025 USAT Elite Triathlon National Team Program Qualification Criteria PDF (Updated Feb. 6, 2025)
USAT Background Check Policy (PDF; Updated Dec. 18, 2022)
USAT Elite Athlete Disciplinary Policy (Updated Jan. 28, 2025)
Note: paratriathletes with a USA Triathlon Elite Athlete certification are not automatically part of the Elite Paratriathlon National Team. Athletes must also meet the following criteria, in addition to holding an elite license:
2025 USAT Elite Paratriathlon National Team Program Criteria (PDF)
USAT Background Check Policy (PDF; Updated Dec. 18, 2022)
USAT Elite Athlete Disciplinary Policy (Updated Jan. 28, 2025)
Olympic and Paralympic Games Selection Process#
- 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)
- 2024 Paralympic Games Selection Procedures Task Force and Timeline (PDF)
- 2024 Paralympic Games Selection StandardOperating Procedures (PDF)
- 2024 Paralympic Games Athlete Selection Procedures (PDF)
- 2024 Paralympic Games Selection Guiding Principles (PDF)
- 2024 Paralympic Games Staff Selection Procedures (PDF)
- USA Triathlon Selection Procedures Standard Operating Procedure (11/14/23, implemented 1/1/24)
World Triathlon Elite Event Qualification#
2025 USAT World Triathlon Championship Series Event Selection Criteria (PDF)
2025 USAT World Triathlon Cup Event Selection Criteria
2025 USAT World Triathlon Continental Cup Event Selection Criteria
2025 USA Triathlon International Competition Panel (ICP) Final (PDF)
Sign up for Elite Nomination Reminder Emails here.
2025 World Triathlon Event Nomination Deadlines (PDF)
2025 World Triathlon Para Race Entry Checklist (PDF)
2025 USA Triathlon International Competition Panel (ICP) Final (PDF)
2025 Nomination Procedure Agreement for World Triathlon Para Events (PDF)
2025 USAT Elite Paratriathlete Incentive Plan (PDF)
Sign up for Elite Para Nomination Reminder Emails here.
Other Events Criteria#
Pan American Games
- USA Triathlon Selection Procedures Standard Operating Procedure (11/14/23, implemented 1/1/24)