USRowing, in conjunction with the USOC, has provided a system of athlete support designed to both allocate assistance throughout the year and provide for evaluation of athletes on a scheduled basis. The 2007 AFMS process continues to evolve from what we have learned in previous years and is based on the USOC mandated prioritization and focus of the funding. Performance incentives for small boats and sculling will continue to be a part of the 2007 athlete support program, with the addition of support for the athletes in the eights.
Based on athlete input, USRowing, working with the USOC, has adjusted the AFMS for 2007. Specific highlights of the 2007 plan include:
- Monthly support stipend to athletes who demonstrated recent international competitive performance.
- Performance reward for athletes who demonstrate performance at 2007 selection events.
- Use of extended support periods beyond a monthly evaluation basis to allow more consistent funding expectations for athletes.
- Funding decisions for EAHI allocation are to be determined by a committee comprised of: USRowing Executive Director, the AAC Representative and head coach for that specific discipline.
The 2007 process deviates from a tiered system to allow us to encompass the pool of athletes most likely to impact 2007 Olympic qualification and medal count. All athletes receiving monthly allocation will receive the same amount. The total 2007 funding slots have been expanded and are based on the trajectory of athletes reaching a qualification level in 2007 and ultimately the Olympic Games. We expect these changes will address the imbalance in funding we have found between athletes within the same boat during 2005 and 2006.
Keeping these changes in mind, below you will find an outline of 2007 USOC Athlete Support.
I. MONTHLY STIPENDS:
Amount: $1,000/month
Criteria:
1) Athlete will have participated in an Olympic event at the 2006 World Championships and placed high enough to meet Olympic qualifying position. (These events are W1x, W4x, W2-, W8+, M4x, LM4-, M4-, M8+); or
2) Athlete will have medaled in an Olympic event in the 2005 World Championships (M8+, LW2x).
Monthly funded athletes must sign a contract with USRowing to remain on funding through selection to the 2007 World Championship Team in their event, or until another athlete takes their position in said event.
If the athlete does not garner a position in one of the Olympic events or refuses to accept their bid to the team, then the monthly funding ceases for the contracted athlete, and the athlete who has accepted their berth to the team from the selection event will be offered a contract from the beginning of the following month through August 31, 2007.
Starting in September of 2007, a new list of athletes (maximum 48) will be eligible to receive funding through the end of the year. Funding may be reallocated from the 2007 World Championship Performance Funding pool to cover a larger pool of athletes who qualify for monthly funding based on 2007 World Championship results for this period. The new list will be based on the following criteria listed in order of priority:
- Athletes winning medals in Olympic class boats at the 2007 World Championships.
- Athletes meeting the Olympic qualification placing at the 2007 World Championships.
- Athletes who medaled in an Olympic event at the 2006 World Championships.
Discretionary slots:
There are three discretionary slots. These slots may be used for an athlete based on coaches’ decision from the below criteria that illustrates that this individual will directly impact the results of the Olympic event.
Coaches will use the following evaluation criteria should they determine that a discretionary addition is to be made:
- 2007 National Selection Regatta results
- 2006-2007 National Team Testing
- 2007 World Cup results
- Competitive performance during training sessions
- Overall performance at the Selection Camp
- In the case of lightweight events, the athlete’s weight
Funding may be reallocated from the 2007 World Championship Performance Funding pool to this pool to meet these needs.
Additional information:
All athletes must sign a contract to receive monthly funding. The contract will, at the minimum, state that the athlete intends, in good faith, to train towards the 2008 Olympics in one of the stated Olympic events. Athletes also will be required to participate at a minimum level in selection events and testing. In order to receive funding, athletes must follow a training program approved by the USRowing head coach responsible for their event.
II. NATIONAL SELECTION REGATTA PERFORMANCE FUNDING:
For 2007, athletes will be eligible to win performance funding based on performance at the National Selection Regattas. NSR performance funding will only be provided at the NSR where that event is being selected, as stated in the 2007 Selection Procedures.
Dates (tentative and subject to change based on 2007 Selection procedures):
- April 6-8: M1x, W1x at National Selection Regatta I, Mercer Lake, N.J.
- April 27-29: W2x, W2-, LM2-, LW2x at National Selection Regatta II, Mercer Lake, N.J.
- June 1-3: M2x, M2-, LM2x at National Selection Regatta III, Mercer Lake, N.J.
Performance funding will go to the winner of the W1x, M1x, LW2x and LM2x. Performance funding will go to the top two finishers of the W2x, M2x, and LM2-. Performance funding will go to the top three finishers of the W2- and M2-.
Events: Placement: Funding per Athlete:
M1x, W1x, LM2x, LW2x
M2x, W2x, LM2-
- First Place: $2,000
- Second Place: $1,000
M2-, W2-
- Fist Place: $2,000
- Second Place: $1,000
- Third Place: $500
III. 2007 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP PERFORMANCE FUNDING:*
A performance funding pool of at least $145,000 will be divided equally among all athletes in Olympic events that finish with a medal performance (first, second or third). The amount per athlete will be the same regardless of medal color or event in which it is achieved. Any funds not claimed by medal performance at the 2007 World Championships will first be allocated to cover additional monthly funding slots (if needed) for September to December and then added to the Op-Gold Plus Funding pool (see below). Any funds not claimed will be added to the Op-Gold Plus Funding pool (see below).
IV. 2007 OP-GOLD PLUS FUNDING: **
Any funds remaining will be allocated to athletes who finish in the top eight places of the M1x, W1x, M2x, W2x, M2-, W2-, LM2x, LW2x, M4x or W4x, or in the top four places in the M4-, LM4-, M8+ or W8+ at the 2007 World Championships. These amounts will be tiered based on finish position.
*Any one athlete may not collect more than $19,000 combined from both pools of funding.
**Note that the max for Op Gold Plus will be $5k or less.
V. ELITE ATHLETE HEALTH INSURANCE (EAHI)
A. Maximum number of EAHI slots allocated: 48
B. Eligibility and Criteria Approved for EAHI: Up to 48 athletes will be offered EAHI based on the following prioritized order:
1. Priority to athletes receiving 2007 USOC monthly athlete support. (The two timeframes for receiving 2007 USOC monthly athlete support are January 1-August 31, 2007, and September 1-December 31, 2007).
2. Second priority to Olympic event athletes from the 2006 World Championship Team who are still training and competing (January 1-August 31, 2007, review period) or the 2007 World Championship Team (September 1-December 31, 2007, review period).
Should all 48 slots not be filled using criteria 1 and 2, USRowing may fill vacant slots based on the third priority below.
3. Third priority to competitive, development athletes training in Olympic events, dependent on athlete ability.
Factors in allocation under criteria #3 and evaluated by USRowing Executive Director, the designated coach and the USRowing AAC representative or alternate AAC representative (factors listed in no particular order):
- Demonstrated international success in a development event during previous 12 months.
- Demonstrated domestic success through performance in testing, National Selection Regatta (NSR), selection events or camp during the previous 12 months.
- Athlete must declare that they are training toward Beijing games.
- Declared intent to row for a 2007 Olympic boat class.
Review months:
February 2007
August 2007
USRowing will only make changes to the EAHI roster during the designated review months stated above. Should there be any available EAHI slots left after the above athletes have either accepted or declined, those slots will remain unused.
VI. USOC OPERATION GOLD
Athletes that qualify for Operation Gold payments at the 2007 qualifying event are eligible for the following payment amounts:
- 1st Place: $6,000
- 2nd Place: $5,000
- 3rd Place: $4,000
- 4th Place: $3,500
- 5th Place: $3,000
- 6th Place: $3,000
- 7th Place: $2,000
- 8th Place: $2,000
The 2007 Operation Gold qualifying event for USRowing is the 2007 World Rowing Championships, August 26-September 2, 2007, in Munich, Germany. Boats of four or more are only eligible if they finish in the top six . In non-Olympic years, athletes who qualify for more than one award automatically receive the higher award.