Elite Athlete Participation means meeting one of the below conditions:
Participation on a COLLEGIATE SPORT program that is officially endorsed by a school/university. Includes DI, DII, DIII or non-NCAA. If you played on a club team, the program must be officially recognized by the university or school/University AND compete against similar programs at other schools/universities AND be recognized by the NCAA as a First Tier Sport (e.g., does not include Quidditch, paintball or PvZ; Ultimate, Judo and Speed Skating are examples of included programs as long as they meet the other conditions.
Obtained RANKING POINTS/competed in event(s) that offered ranking points or your sports equivalent to ranking points. Competed in at least one event/bracket where national or world ranking points are awarded by a sanctioned organization that is recognized as an authority in your sport (Examples of sports that work this way include boxing, bobsled, skateboard) OR competed in the most expert bracket available (e.g., Expert, pro, black-belt+) at a national, international, or world level event (e.g., Nordic combined) OR where prize money is available (e.g., MMA) by a sanctioned organization recognized as an authority in the sport (e.g., Judo, karate). Athlete does not need to win prize money; participation in the bracket or bout that offers prize money is adequate.
MEMBER OF A TEAM (e.g., US Climbing, US Gymnastics, National team, Olympic team), CLUB (e.g., swimming), OR FRANCHISE (e.g., Bowie Baysox, minor league baseball) that participates in events/games/competitions that are equivalent to an amateur or professional league (e.g., NBA, MLB).
ATTENDED THE OLYMPIC TRIALS (does not have to make the Olympic team) OR qualified for the Olympics based on a recognized ranking point system.
You are still considered retired even if you continue to play your sport recreationally (including age-bracket/senior events), and if you might return to elite level competition at some point in the future as long as you think yourself retired as of right now.
Sport specific break points:
Scroll down to see if your sport is listed.
- Archery – On the roster for a collegiate team (DI, DII, DIII, Club, and non-NCAA acceptable as long as sanctioned by the school) OR Competed in an event where World Ranking Points were available OR attempted/qualified for a National or Olympic team.
- Auto-Racing – Driver: Competed in an event where ranking points were available from a sanctioned organization, including but not limited to the AAA, USAC, CART, CCWS, IRL, ICS, NASCAR, Formula1, and FIM.
- Badminton – On the roster for a collegiate team (DI, DII, DIII, Club, and non-NCAA acceptable as long as sanctioned by the school) or USA Badminton Collegiate Club League) OR Competed in a sanctioned event where World Ranking points were available
- Baseball – On the roster for a collegiate team (DI, DII, DIII, Club, and non-NCAA acceptable as long as sanctioned by the school) OR played with a professional franchise (e.g., MLB) or international equivalent, including minor league, farm systems, and professional development programs OR attended qualifier tournament for the Olympics
- Basketball – On the roster for a collegiate team (DI, DII, DIII, Club, and non-NCAA acceptable as long as sanctioned by the school) OR competed in a professional league such as NBA, WNBA, NBA-G, or international equivalent OR played in a qualifier tournament for the Olympics.
- Biathlon – Competed in an event where World Ranking Points were available OR attended Olympic Qualifies OR on the roster of a National team
- Bobsled, Luge or Skeleton – Competed in an event sanctioned by the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (FIBT), including but not limited to the Olympics.
- Boxing – Competed in an event sanctioned by the World Boxing Association (WBA), World Boxing Council (WBC), International Boxing Federation (IBF), World Boxing Organization (WBO), or similar organization (Identify) OR attended qualifier tournament or made Olympic team
- Bowling – On the roster for a collegiate team (DI, DII, DIII, Club, and non-NCAA acceptable as long as sanctioned by the school) OR competed in an event where ranking points were available to contestant (non-junior) such as a USBS sanctioned event
- Canoe – On the roster for a collegiate team (DI, DII, DIII, Club, and non-NCAA acceptable as long as sanctioned by the school) OR competed in an event sanctioned by a governing body such as the international Canoe Federation OR competed in the Olympic trails, Nationals or the Worlds.
- Climbing – On the roster for a collegiate team (DI, DII, DIII, Club, and non-NCAA acceptable as long as sanctioned by the school) OR competed in a USA Climbing or IFSC sanctioned event OR attended the Olympic Trials
- Cricket – On the roster for a collegiate team (DI, DII, DIII, Club, and non-NCAA acceptable as long as sanctioned by the school) OR competed in an event sanctioned by the International Cricket Council or similar governing body at a National level (e.g., USACA)
- Cross Country Running – (Including Cross Country, Race Walking, Race Running, and Mountain Ultra Trail; have participant identify as a ‘select all that apply’) – On the roster for a collegiate team (DI, DII, DIII, Club, and non-NCAA acceptable as long as sanctioned by the school) OR competed in a NIRCA or USATF sanctioned event in the Open division OR (Must have competed)
- Cue sport – (Identify which type of cue sport). Competed in a sanctioned event where ranking points were available such as a WPBSA, USBA, or WPA or similar governing body.
- Curling – Competed in an event sanctioned by the World Curling Federation or similar organization OR attended qualifiers for the Olympic or National Team OR on the roster for a collegiate team (DI, DII, DIII, Club, and non-NCAA acceptable as long as sanctioned by the school)
- Cycling – Road or Track: Collegiate Club sanctioned by USA Cycling OR Competed in an event where road cycling ranking points were available from the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) or a similar organization (e.g., USA Cycling)
- Cycling – mountain – On the roster for a collegiate team (DI, DII, DIII, Club, and non-NCAA acceptable as long as sanctioned by the school) OR competed in a ProXCT or UCI sanctioned event OR on the national team (identify country)
- Cycling – BMX: On the roster for a collegiate team (DI, DII, DIII, Club, and non-NCAA acceptable as long as sanctioned by the school) OR competed in a USA BMX or UCI sanctioned event, OR on the national team OR competed in Olympic trials.
- Darts: Competed in an event sanctioned by the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC), the British Darts Organization (BDO) or similar governing body.
- Diving: On the roster for a collegiate team (DI, DII, DIII, Club, and non-NCAA acceptable as long as sanctioned by the school, NCAA, USA Diving or AAU Diving) OR Competed in an event where World Ranking Points were available OR attempted to or qualified for National or Olympic team
- eSports: Collegiate or Varsity (as long as sanctioned by National Association of Collegiate E-Sports- NACE) OR played with a professional franchise (eg. Overwatch, League of Legends or equivalent (identify).
- Equestrian (dressage, jumping, eventing) – On the roster for a collegiate team (DI, DII, DIII, Club, and non-NCAA acceptable as long as sanctioned by the school, NCAA, or the NCEA [National Collegiate Equestrian Association]) OR competed in an event where World Ranking Points were available OR attempted to or qualified for National or Olympic team
- Fencing- On the roster for a collegiate team (DI, DII, DIII, Club, and non-NCAA acceptable as long as sanctioned by the school) OR competed in an event where world ranking points were available OR attempted to or qualified for Olympic Team
- Field hockey – On the roster for a collegiate team (DI, DII, DIII, Club, and non-NCAA acceptable as long as sanctioned by the school OR on the roster for a team in a professional league such as FIH (International Hockey Federation) or equivalent organization (identify).
- Golf– On the roster for a collegiate team (DI, DII, DIII, Club, and non-NCAA acceptable as long as sanctioned by the school, NCAA, or NAIA) OR competed in an event where national or world ranking points were available (includes world, PGA and Amateur WAGR ranking systems) OR played in a professional event officially sanctioned by a recognized tour/circuit (e.g., PGA, European, Canadian, China/Japan Asian Tours, South African, Korn Ferry, and equivalent [IDENTIFY])
- Gymnastics – Any one of the below options qualifies:
- On the roster for a collegiate team (DI, DII, DIII, Club, and non-NCAA acceptable as long as sanctioned by the school) OR
- Competed in a National Event through US Gymnastics or a similar international organization (identify) OR
- attended Olympic qualifier OR
- member of a Junior OR senior National Team, (identify) OR
- a member of TOP (Talent Opportunity Program).
- Handball – Court – On the roster for a collegiate team (DI, DII, DIII, Club, and non-NCAA acceptable as long as sanctioned by the school) OR Played in the Pro or Open singles draw of a USHA or WPH sanctioned event where ranking points were available (e.g., 1/3/4-wall Nationals or Worlds, pro-tour).
- Handball – team- On the roster for a collegiate team (DI, DII, DIII, Club, and non-NCAA acceptable as long as sanctioned by the school) OR competed in a sanctioned event where ranking points were available.
- Hockey: ice- On the roster for a collegiate team (DI, DII, DIII, Club, and non-NCAA acceptable as long as sanctioned by the school, NCAA, ACAC, ACHA, BCIHL, or U Sports) OR on the roster for a team with a major pro, minor pro or amateur league (e.g., NHL) including international leagues. Junior league does not qualify.
- *Horse racing – After searching the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, there is a competition (The National Horseplayers Championship – NHC) that has to be qualified for that involves a point system, but I can’t tell if the website is referring to the actual jockey’s/horses of the sport, or placing bets on the jockey’s/horses
- Judo – On the roster for a collegiate Club team as long as the following conditions were met: 1) team officially sanctioned by the school; 2) team competed against other schools that were also sanctioned OR Competed in an event where non-junior ranking points were available to participants from the IJF or similar sanctioned organization OR qualified for Olympics OR member of a National team.
- Karate – On the roster for a collegiate Club team as long as the following conditions were met: 1) team officially sanctioned by the school; 2) team competed against other schools that were also sanctioned OR Competed in an event where non-junior ranking points were available to participants from the WFK or similar sanctioned organization OR qualified for Olympics OR member of a National team.
- Kayak – On the roster for a collegiate team (DI, DII, DIII, Club, and non-NCAA acceptable as long as sanctioned by the school) OR attended Worlds of Olympic qualifier (did not have to make the team).
- Lacrosse – On the roster for a collegiate team (DI, DII, DIII, Club, and non-NCAA acceptable as long as sanctioned by the school) OR played in a professional league such as the MLL.
- MMA – Mixed Martial Arts – Competed in a pro or amateur bout that offered prize money OR competed in a UFC bout or its equivalent such as Bellaror, Invicta, LFA, PFL, Titan, CCFC, Combate, or Shogun Fights.
- Modern pentathlon – Attended qualifiers for a National or Olympic team
- MotoX – Obtained a National Ranking OR competed at least once in the Champions Cup, EMX or Grand Prix
- Nordic Combined – Competed at Nationals (USA or international) OR attended qualifiers for a National or Olympic team
- Racquetball – On the roster for a collegiate team (DI, DII, DIII, Club, and non-NCAA acceptable as long as sanctioned by the school) OR competed at Nationals or Worlds in the Open draw.
- Rodeo – Competed in event sanctioned by the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) OR Competed in a competition sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) OR competed in the National Finals Rodeo (NFR)
- Roller sport – Obtained national ranking points (i.e., World Skateboarding Ranking system) OR participated in an event sanctioned by USA Roller Sports (USARS) OR qualified for the Olympics.
- Rowing – On the roster for a collegiate team (DI, DII, DIII, Club, and non-NCAA acceptable as long as sanctioned by the school) OR attended Olympic trials
- Rugby – On the roster for a collegiate team (DI, DII, DIII, Club, and non-NCAA acceptable as long as sanctioned by the school) OR on the roster of a Women’s Premier League (WPL) team OR competed in a men/women’s championship tournament (DI- DIII or men’s/women’s sevens) OR participated in an Olympics qualifying tournament OR on the roster of an Olympic team (men/women)
- Sailing – On the roster for a collegiate team (DI, DII, DIII, Club, and non-NCAA acceptable as long as sanctioned by the school) OR Competed in Junior Olympics OR competed in a US sailing competition OR Competed on the US National team OR Qualified for the US Olympic sailing team
- Shooting – Rifle – On the roster for a collegiate team (DI, DII, DIII, Club, and non-NCAA acceptable as long as sanctioned by the school) OR Participated in the NCAA Rifle Championship OR Participated in a USA Shooting sanctioned match OR qualified for the 2020 National Collegiate Men’s and Women’s Rifle Championships OR Participated in the US Olympic Team Trials OR attended Olympic qualifier/on Olympic Team
- Skateboarding – On the roster for a collegiate team (DI, DII, DIII, Club, and non-NCAA acceptable as long as sanctioned by the school) OR Competed in an event that offers points towards Olympic World Skateboarding Ratings (OWSR), including: World Skate-sanctioned National Championship, Continental Championship, World Skate Pro Tour, 5-Star events and World Championship events OR Qualified for the Olympic US skateboarding team
- Skating – Figure Skating – On the roster for a collegiate team (DI, DII, DIII, Club, and non-NCAA acceptable as long as sanctioned by the school OR Competed at a Regional, Sectional, Championship, or International competition OR attended qualifies for an Olympic team OR competed in the World Figure Skating Championship
- Skating – Speed – (long or short track) On the roster for a collegiate Club team as long as the following conditions were met: 1) team officially sanctioned by the school; 2) team competed against other schools that were also sanctioned; AND 3) collegiate USFS membership IF in the USA, not applicable to international programs) OR Competed in at least one event where National or World ranking points were available to competitors OR attended qualifiers for Olympics
- Skiing – On the roster for a collegiate team (DI, DII, DIII, Club, and non-NCAA acceptable as long as sanctioned by the school) OR competed in National Championships, World Cup or World Championships in any event OR attended qualifiers for Olympics
- Snowboarding – On the roster for a collegiate team (DI, DII, DIII, Club, and non-NCAA acceptable as long as sanctioned by the school) OR Competed in National Championships, World Cup, or World Championships OR attended qualifiers for Olympics
- Snowmobile – Competed in the Northeast SnoX Challenge, Iron Dog Race, International 500, OR qualified for X-Games or World Championships
- Soccer (international Football) – On the roster for a collegiate team (DI, DII, DIII, Club, and non-NCAA acceptable as long as sanctioned by the school) OR Professional league such as NSL, NWS or equivalent, OR attended qualifiers for a National or Olympic Team.
- Softball – On the roster for a collegiate team (DI, DII, DIII, Club, and non-NCAA acceptable as long as sanctioned by the school) OR played with a professional franchise (e.g. NPF, USA Softball sponsored national team) or international equivalent OR competed in World Championships, Pan American Games, WBSC tournament, or qualified for the Olympics
- Squash – On the roster for a collegiate team (DI, DII, DIII, Club, and non-NCAA acceptable as long as sanctioned by the school) OR competed (as a junior or adult) in a PSA sanctioned event (or international equivalent IDENITFY) where participants could earn national or world ranking points including National Championships, World Championships, and PSA sanctioned Tournaments.
- Swimming – On the roster for a collegiate team (DI, DII, DIII, Club, and non-NCAA acceptable as long as sanctioned by the school) OR competed (as a junior or adult) in an event where participants could earn national or world ranking points such as the World Championships, World Cup, National Championships OR attended Olympic Trials
- Surfing – Ranked on the World Surf League or equivalent (e.g., ISA) OR qualified at least once for the World Surfing Games or similar event.
- Table tennis – competed in an event sanctioned by the NCTTA OR achieved ranking points on the USATT
- Taekwondo – Must have competed as a Black Belt. On the roster for a collegiate Club team as long as the following conditions were met: 1) team officially sanctioned by the school; 2) team competed against other schools that were also sanctioned OR Competed in an event where non-junior ranking points were available to participants from the USTU, WTF or similar sanctioned organization OR qualified for Olympics OR member of a National team.
- Tennis – Collegiate or club OR professionally competed in an event where participants could earn ranking points on the ATP, WTA, or similarly sanctioned organization OR attended qualifiers for Olympics. (ATP and WTA rankings determine what players qualify for the Olympics)
- Track and Field – On the roster for a collegiate team (DI, DII, DIII, Club, and non-NCAA acceptable as long as sanctioned by the school) OR competed at the National or World Championships, Pan American Championships, or other competition where participants could earn national or world ranking points through the IAAF OR qualified for the Olympics
- Triathlon – On the roster for a collegiate team (DI, DII, DIII, Club, and non-NCAA acceptable as long as sanctioned by the school) OR holds a USAT elite license OR competed in the World Cup, Pan American Games, National championships, or any other competition where participants can earn national or world ranking points OR attended qualifiers for the Olympics
- Ultimate Frisbee: On the roster for a collegiate team (DI, DII, DIII, Club, and non-NCAA acceptable as long as sanctioned by the school) OR on the roster for a National (USA and UK) leagues.
- Volleyball: Beach- On the roster for a collegiate team (DI, DII, DIII, Club, and non-NCAA acceptable as long as sanctioned by the school, NCAA, or NAIA) OR competed (as a junior or adult) in an event where participants could earn national or world ranking points from FIVB, AVP or a similar governing body.
- Volleyball: Indoor- On the roster for a collegiate team (DI, DII, DIII, Club, and non-NCAA acceptable as long as sanctioned by the school, NCAA, or NAIA) OR on the roster of a team that competed in National or World competitions where teams could earn FIVB ranking points OR attended or qualified for an Olympic team
- Water polo- On the roster for a collegiate team (DI, DII, DIII, Club, and non-NCAA acceptable as long as sanctioned by the school, NCAA, or NAIA) OR on the roster of a team that competed in international world championships or similar event where FIN ranking points are available OR attended qualifier or qualified for Summer Olympics
- Weightlifting- Competed in a National and World competition OR participated in an event where IWF ranking points were available OR attended qualifier or qualified for the Olympics
- Wrestling- On the roster for a collegiate team (DI, DII, DIII, Club, and non-NCAA acceptable as long as sanctioned by the school, NCAA, or NAIA) OR competed professionally in at least one event including entertainment, circus, European or equivalent (IDENTIFY) OR competed in an event where ranking points were available through the UWW OR attended qualifier or qualified for the Olympics.
- X-Games sport not otherwise listed (IDENTIFY) – Competed in an X-Games event where ranking points were available OR attended qualifier or qualified for the X-Games, Olympics or World Championships.
