1. RECORD PERFORMANCES – OFFICIALS’ RESPONSIBILITIES
(Rules: USATF ; NCAA 7.2; NFHS 9)

2. RECORD PERFORMANCES – OFFICIALS’ RESPONSIBILITIES
Officials must be knowledgeable and prepared to document performances of athletes who set a record. Before the competition, Meet Directors, Referees, and event head officials must know and follow the rules (cited above) and the procedures for verifying and processing record setting performances for championship, American, or World records.

3. Officials’ Considerations
All Events
Be aware of existing records; possess blank record forms; complete the forms immediately after the event
Records may be set in preliminaries or in finals
Performances made in mixed competition of men and women are not accepted for records, except for races of 10,000 meters or more; exceptions: masters events, road races, and as allowed per Rule 147

4. Officials’ Considerations
Running Events
Set up and operate wind gauge according to rules; record wind speed for every heat/section/event 200m or less
Save and print the FAT zero control test before events are run – for every session

5. Officials’ Considerations
Field Events
All: have a certified steel tape or bar graduated in centimeters, or a certified scientific measuring device on hand and use it for all record measurements; all measurements are metric
The event head official, plus 2 other certified officials, plus the Head Field Judge or Referee all read the tape measurement for a record; ensure a tape measure has no twists
The electronic measurement judge (EMJ) verifies the accuracy of the sighting of the electronic measurement device and the measurement displayed on the device. The event head official, plus 2 other certified officials, plus the EMJ verify the mark in the field and the distance displayed on the device.

6. Officials’ Considerations
Field Events (Cont.)
Horizontals - set up and operate wind gauge according to rules; record wind speed for every attempt
Verticals – measure height before initial record attempt and before another attempt if the bar has been touched or displaced by the competitor(s); do not measure after the jump; records may be set in tie-breaking jump-offs
Throws – inspect implements before the competition; verify they have the “mark of the day”; after a record performance impound and recertify the implement

7. Meet Management Considerations
Officials
Have an adequate number of certified officials on hand:
in the key positions required for the application form certifications;
three at or available for each field event;
and for Race Walking - the minimum number of judges with specified certification levels per Rule 266

8. Meet Management Considerations
Venues
Ensure the track and all field event venues meet rules specifications,
and that LDR road courses are measured and verified per Rule 265

9. Meet Management Considerations
Doping Control Protocols
Athletes setting American records (open events only; does not include Junior, Youth, or Masters records) must submit to doping control at the end of the event,
to be conducted per the doping control rules and procedures currently in force (within 24 hours for American records).

10. Meet Management Considerations
Application Forms
Have blank copies of the USATF “Application for Record” on hand.
USATF & NCAA: go to USATF.org; then “Resources for …”; then “Event Directors”; then “Record Forms”.
High School: go to nfhs.org.

11. Processing Record Forms
All Events
Referee – prepare & certify the application form;
Surveyor – certify the track, venue, or running course meets specifications

12. Processing Record Forms
Running Events (including Race Walking & LDR)
FAT or Timer(s) – certify time, specify device used; save & print finish photo and zero control test;
Starter - certify application form;
Wind Gauge Operator (outdoor events <300m) – certify wind speed

13. Processing Record Forms
Field Events
Implement Inspection (throws) – certify implement inspection and implement type;
Wind Gauge Operator (outdoor horizontals) – certify wind speed;
Event Head Judge, plus 2 other certified officials – certify the mark and venue specifications

14. Processing Record Forms
Required Documentation
printed program for the competition;
event official results;
field events - event sheet;
running events - FAT finish photo and FAT zero control test;
masters events - proof of birth date per rule 261.2;
track events greater than 10,000m - lap sheets per rule 265;
world records for 400m and less - starting block reaction times

15. Resources
USATF Best Practices ~ Records Forms: