Number 1, Issue 1 November 1, 2010

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PERFORMANCE ENHANCER:  USATF   reimbursement,  stipends,  elite  athlete  health   November 1, 2010
launched  two  pilots  of  its  new  Sport  Per-­ LQVXUDQFH',6&6W9LQFHQW¶VPHGLFDOSUR
formance  Workshops  in  2010,  and  no   JUDPFRDFKHV¶VWLSHQGVDQG+RXU)LWQHVV
fewer  than  10  Workshops  are  already  on   vouchers.  Check  out  the  upcoming  issue  of  
the  docket  for  2011  in  all  event  groups.   Elite  Beat  for  more  information  on  the  Tier    
Using  Functional  Movement  Screenings   system.  
(FMS),  biomechanical  analysis,  physciol-­ GO, TEAM, GO:  The  2011  Team  USA  calendar  is  
WHAT  IN  THE  HECK  
ogy,  sport  psychology  and  nutritional   getting  filled  out  as  we  speak.  To  check  out   IS THIS?  
counseling,  the  workshops  are  designed   Team  qualifying  information  currently  online,    
to  help  coaches  and  athletes  enhance   including  standards  for  the  2011  IAAF  World   A  joint  venture  between  USATF  
performance  and  optimize  training.  For   Outdoor  Championships,  visit  http:// staff  and  the  Athletes  Advisory  
everything  you  need  to  know  about  the   www.usatf.org/calendars/teamUSA.aspx? Committee,  The  USATF  e-­lite  
Sport  Performance  Workshops  ±  includ-­ year=2011     Newsletter  is  a  monthly  elec-­
ing  when  and  where  they  are  and  who  is   KNOW THE NO-­12·6  86$7)¶V0HOLVVD%HDVOH\ tronic  newsletter  designed  to  
eligible,  visit  http://www.usatf.org/groups/ reports  that  USADA  will  have  several  upcom-­ give  track  &  field  athletes  a  sum-­
HighPerformance/AthleteDevelopment/     ing  important  announcements  related  to  im-­ mary  of  critical  information  you  
TOP TIER:  As  Part  of  its  High  Performance   portant  athlete  anti-­doping  measures,  includ-­ need  to  have,  when  you  need  to  
Plan,  USATF  has  a  new  Tier  System  to   ing  a  summary  of  the  new2011  Prohibited  List,   have  it.  Funding  application  
ensure  the  participation  of  the  highest   which  goes  live  today  (Nov.1).  Visit   deadlines,  links  to  resources  
medal-­potential  athletes  and  their   www.usada.org    regularly  to  keep  up-­to-­date   and  updates  on  Championships  
coaches  in  all  high  performance  and  ath-­ RE-­SET YOUR BOOKMARKS:  Also,  athletes   and  USADA  news  will  take  cen-­
lete  support  programs.  Athletes  included   should  bookmark  www.usada.org/athletes  as   WHUVWDJH$QGZH¶OONHHSLWVKRUW
in  Tiers  1,  2  and  3  will  have  primary  ac-­ the  page  that  will  link  you  to  everything  regard-­ :HNQRZ\RX¶UHEXV\  
cess  to  programs  such  as  domestic  and    
ing  your  USADA  needs  and  requirements.   (DFKPRQWK¶V³$WKOHWHst  Per-­
international  competitive  opportunities,  
sport  performance  workshops,  medical   This  is  a  new  web  address.   VRQ´ZLOOIHDWXUHDVWRU\E\DQ
American  athlete  about  how  she  
or  he  leveraged  resources  that  
)LQGLQJ+HOS:KHQ<RXQHHG,W« (Continued on p. 2) were  available  to  assist  them  in  
their  training,  racing  or  simply  
paying  the  bills.  They  are  stories  
By Mechelle Lewis severely  altered.  I  was  faced  with   about  athletes,  by  athletes  and  
  DQLQMXU\WKDWZRXOGQ¶WHDVLO\JR for  athletes,  and  we  hope  they  
As  a  professional  athlete,  I  talk   away  with  just  rest  and  ice.  Soon   will  help  you  learn  about  ways  
with  many  friends  and  colleagues   after,  I  was  diagnosed  with  a   you  can  get  more  support.  
who  are  totally  unfamiliar  with  the   herniated  disc.  As  soon  as  I  be-­  
resources  available  to  them   gan  to  train  again  I  realized  this   If  you  have  an  idea  about  infor-­
through  USATF  and  other   LQMXU\¶VJUDYHOLPLWDWLRQV   PDWLRQ\RX¶GOLNHWRVHHPDGH
sources.  So,  for  the  first  install-­   accessible  in  the  e-­lite  newslet-­
PHQWRIWKHQHZVOHWWHU¶V³$WKOHWH Upon  initial  diagnosis,  I  began  to   ter,  email  USATF  Chief  Public  
1st  3HUVRQ´,WKRXJKWLWPLJKWEH wonder  about  the  resources  that   Affairs  Officer  Jill  Geer  
helpful  to  write  about  my  own   would  be  available  for  an  injured   (jill.geer@usatf.org)  or  AAC  
experience.   elite  athlete.  I  immediately   communication  liaison  Mechelle  
  thought  to  reach  out  to  USATF   Lewis  
At  the  2009  USA  Champion-­ DQGFRQWDFWHG6DUL\X³%HND´ (mechelle.lewis@gmail.com)  
ships,  my  life  as  a  professional   Suggs,  the  High  Performance  
track  &  field  athlete  would  be   Programs  Manager.  I  spoke     Mechelle Lewis
Page 2 Number 1, Issue 1 November 1, 2010

...Finding help when you need it (from p. 1)

with  her  about  my  situation,  and  she  recom-­ to  receive  treatment  with  no  cost  to  them,  as   hardship  program  that  awards  grants  to  Olym-­
mended  that  I  file  a  USATF  Sport  Accident   long  as  they  qualify  for  the  Elite  Athlete  Health   pians  facing  hardships.  I  was  also  awarded  
Insurance  claim  right  away,  since  my  injury   Insurance.  Although  I  did  not  qualify  for  EAHI   this  grant!  
occurred  at  a  USATF-­sanctioned  event.  There   any  longer,  I  continued  to  make  payments  on    
are  specific  qualifications  for  all  programs,  so   my  own  through  COBRA,  which  allowed  me  to   Everyone  should  read  the  USATF  and  USOC  
please  understand  that  claims   still  qualify  for   athlete  resource  programs  in  a  proactive  effort  
are  very  time-­sensitive.  As   this  program.   to  have  a  better  idea  of  solutions  that  may  one  
soon  as  an  injury  happens  
WR\RXSOHDVHGRQ¶WZDVWHD USATF ATHLETE My  surgery  
was  on  April  
day  pertain  to  you.  There  will  be  times  when  
you  will  have  to  fend  for  yourself.  In  those  
moment  to  apply  and  deter-­ 29,  2010  at   times,  how  things  end  up  is  totally  based  on  
mine  if  you  are  eligible  for   1ST PERSON no  additional   your  efforts.  Thank  you  Beka  for  always  re-­
coverage.   cost  to  me.   sponding  to  my  questions!  Remember,  the  
    worst  anyone  can  say  is  no,  but  imagine  what  
It  turned  out  that  it  was  critical  that  I  applied   After  reaching  out  to  Beka  again  with  more   can  happen  when  they  say  YES!  
and  was  approved  for  the  Sport  Accident  In-­ questions,  she  suggested  I  apply  to  the    
surance,  because  my  injury  turned  out  to  be   USATF  Foundation  for  an  Athlete  Develop-­ To  learn  more  about  Athlete  Support  Pro-­
more  serious  than  I  thought.  After  realizing  I   ment  grant,  as  I  looked  for  ways  to  support  my   grams  through  USATF,  the  USATF  Founda-­
needed  surgery,  I  did  more  research  to  find   training  as  I  came  back  from  injury.  Not  only   tion  and  the  USOC,  visit  http://www.usatf.org/
out  about  the  DISC  program,  which  is  a  spine   have  I  recently  become  a  USATF  Foundation   groups/HighPerformance/AthleteSupport/  
center  that  has  a  partnership  with  the  USOC.   grant  recipient,  but  I  also  took  the  time  to  re-­  
This  program,  which  former  USATF  athlete   search  the  USOC  programs  and  came  across   Mechelle  Lewis  is  a  2008  Olympian  and  com-­
Jenny  Adams  is  involved  in,  allows  Olympians   the  Olympians  for  Olympians  Relief  Fund,  a   munications  liaison  for  the  AAC.  

FRIENDLY REMINDERS!!
Know your Number ...  
COACHING STIPENDS: There  are  still  a  number  of  qualified  athletes  who  
 
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  To  apply  online  for  several  athlete  
for  their  coach  of  record.  A  coach  must  have  an  athlete  ranked  in  the  
support  opportunities,  you  must  know  your  
ZRUOG¶VWRSWHQLQWKH\HDUSUHFHGLQJIXQGLQJWREHHOLJLEOH)RUPRUHLQIRU
USATF  membership  number.  If  you  don't  
mation,  visit  http://www.usatf.org/groups/HighPerformance/AthleteSupport/
know  your  membership  number,  you  can  
performancePoolFunding.asp  
obtain  it  by  going  to  https://www.usatf.org/
 
membership/help/number.asp  .  
 
ACTIVATE THOSE MEMBERSHIPS!: 24  Hour  Fitness  will  supply  USATF  
  To  update  your  membership  informa-­
with  200  Elite  memberships  through  their  agreement  with  the  USOC.  
tion,  such  as  email  address,  mailing  address  
These  memberships  are  in  the  form  of  certificates  that  we  may  extend  to  
or  club  affiliation  visit  https://www.usatf.org/
qualified  athletes  and  coaches  on  a  first  come,  first  served  basis.  Please  
members-­only/index.asp  .  You  can  also  
note  that  these  certificates  will  expire  on  12/31/2010.  They  must  be  acti-­
HPDLO6DUL\X³%HND´6XJJVDW
YDWHGEHIRUHWKLVGDWH:HGRQ¶WZDQWDQ\RQHWRPLVVRXWRQWKLVJUHDW
sariyu.suggs@usatf.org  
opportunity!  Visit  http://www.usatf.org/groups/HighPerformance/
AthleteSupport/24HourFitness.asp  for  more  details.