USA Climbing invites eligible athletes to run for election as a Team USA Athletes’ Commission Representative

The Team USA Athletes’ Commission (Team USA AC) is calling for self-nominations to serve as the Team USA AC Representative for USA Climbing for the 2025-2028 Quad.

Interested USOPC 10 Year Athletes may submit self-nominations here by Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at 6:00 PM MT.

About the Team USA Athletes’ Commission

Team USA AC, formerly the USOPC Athletes’ Advisory Council, serves as the representative group and voice of Team USA athletes. Team USA AC is responsible for broadening communication between the USOPC and active athletes and serves as a source of input and advice to the USOPC Board of Directors. Additionally, the Team USA AC is in the process of strengthening its power by advocating for legal independence from the USOPC and an increase in funds so it can better serve the athletes it represents.  The Team USA AC consists of at least one athlete from each National Governing Body (NGB) in which the United States is represented at the Olympic and Pan American Games, one athlete from Sports on the program at Delegation events that are governed and managed by the USOPC, six athletes representing the Paralympic Sport Organizations or NGBs designated to govern a Paralympic sport, and seven athletes elected to serve on leadership by the Team USA AC – four serve at-large, two vice chairs and one chair.

The athlete voice is stronger than ever and is a vital part of sport governance. Click here to watch a video about the role and the work of the Team USA AC. Additionally, please read the Team USA AC Representative Job Description below that details the roles and responsibilities of being an athlete representative on the Team USA AC.  Team USA AC Onboarding and the first meeting of the Quad will be in person January 23-26, 2025.  Elected Representatives will be expected to attend (travel expenses will be covered by Team USA AC).

In addition to being a member of the Team USA AC, the USA Climbing Representative to the Team USA AC also serves as an Athlete Director on USA Climbing’s Board of Directors, and as a member of USA Climbing’s Athletes’ Commission.

USOPC 10 Year Athletes

Only USOPC 10 Year Athletes are eligible to participate as candidates and vote in the Team USA AC elections. There are NO exceptions to this rule.

As defined in the USOPC Bylaws, a USOPC 10 Year Athlete is an athlete who has been selected by their NGB to represent the United States in a Delegation Event or other International Qualifying Competition within the previous 10 years.

For the 2025-2028 Team USA AC Representative, all candidates must be a USOPC 10 Year Athlete at the time when their term would commence, January 1, 2025.

Delegation Event – As defined by the USOPC Bylaws, individually or collectively as applicable, the Olympic Games, the Olympic Winter Games, the Paralympic Games, the Paralympic Winter Games, the Pan American Games, and the Parapan American Games.

For purposes of this election, Delegation Events for USA Climbing Athletes include the Olympic Games and the Pan American Games since January 1, 2015.

International Qualifying Competition – Any international sport competition where:

1. Athletes represent the United States against athletes representing other nations,
2. The NGB officially designates entrants, as required by the competition organizers, and;
3. Athlete results or performance are included in the published criteria (i.e. International Federation qualification system or NGB selection criteria) to qualify, or be selected, to represent the United States in a Delegation Event.

For purposes of this election, International Qualifying Competitions for USA Climbing Athletes include IFSC Climbing World Championships, IFSC Climbing World Cups, and Olympic Qualifier Series since January 1, 2015.

Click here for a list of USA Climbing’s USOPC 10 Year Athletes.

IMPORTANT: Eligible USOPC 10 Year Athletes should have received election communications via email.  If you believe you are a USOPC 10 Year Athlete but do not see your name at the link above, or have not received email communications regarding the current election, please contact info@usaclimbing.org or call (801) 618-0740 Ext. 100 to confirm your status and be sure USA Climbing has your current email address on file. We cannot send you a ballot if we do not have your email address.

Wednesday, November 27, 2024. Call for Self-Nominations Opens.
USA Climbing shall distribute the Process & Timeline and call for self-nominations from eligible candidates. Nominations should minimally include a written statement of intent and may include a resume or any other information pertaining to an athlete’s ability to serve the mission of Team USA AC. Disclosures shall be made according to the Eligibility requirements of the USOPC Bylaws.

Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at 6:00 MT. Self-Nomination Submission Deadline.

Friday, December 13, 2024. Candidate Announcement & Election Opens.
USA Climbing shall distribute voting instructions to eligible voters and the list of eligible candidates, along with candidates’ statements of interest, disclosures, and other information.

Friday, December 20, 2024 at 11:59 PM MT. Voting Closes.
The top two candidates with the most votes are named the Representative and Alternate, respectively.

By December 31, 2024. Election Results Announced.

For questions regarding the role of being a Team USA AC Representative, contact teamusa.ac@teamusa-ac.org.

For questions about the election process, contact Lisa Valiant, USA Climbing Chief of Staff at lisa@usaclimbing.org.

To update your email or to confirm your status as a USOPC 10 Year Athlete, contact info@usaclimbing.org or (801) 618-0740 Ext. 100.