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  5. Regulation Processes


Regulation Processes & Grievances

Athletes wishing to file a grievance challenging a denial or threatened denial to participate in competition, please see An Athlete's Guide to Filing a Grievance Regarding Opportunity to Participate and the Opportunity to Participate Complaint Form. For procedural guidance for filing a grievance, please contact Emily Pratt at [email protected].
 

Athlete Ombuds

The Office of the Athlete Ombuds offers independent, confidential advice to elite athletes regarding their rights and responsibilities in the Olympic and Paralympic Movement, and assists athletes with a broad range of questions, disputes, complaints and concerns.

Phone: 719-866-5000

Email: [email protected]

Website: usathlete.org
 

Athlete Ombuds Confidentiality and Privacy Policy:

(A) In general.—The Office of the Athlete Ombuds shall maintain as confidential any information communicated or provided to the Office of the Athlete Ombuds in confidence in any matter involving the exercise of the official duties of the Office of the Athlete Ombuds. (B) Exception.—The Office of the Athlete Ombuds may disclose information described in subparagraph (A) as necessary to resolve or mediate a dispute, with the permission of the parties involved.(C) Judicial and administrative proceedings.—(i) In general.—The ombudsman and the staff of the Office of the Athlete Ombuds shall not be compelled to testify or produce evidence in any judicial or administrative proceeding with respect to any matter involving the exercise of the duties of the Office of the Athlete Ombuds.(ii) Work product.—Any memorandum, work product, notes, or case file of the Office of the Athlete Ombuds—(I) shall be confidential; and(II) shall not be—(aa) subject to discovery, subpoena, or any other means of legal compulsion; or (bb) admissible as evidence in a judicial or administrative proceeding. (D) Applicability.—The confidentiality requirements under this paragraph shall not apply to information relating to—(i) applicable federally mandated reporting requirements; (ii) a felony personally witnessed by a member of the Office of the Athlete Ombuds;(iii) a situation, communicated to the Office of the Athlete Ombuds, in which an individual is at imminent risk of serious harm; or (iv) a congressional subpoena.

 

Anti-retaliation Statement

No employee, contractor, agent, volunteer, or member of the USOPC shall take or threaten action against an athlete as a reprisal for disclosing information to or seeking assistance from the Office of the Athlete Ombuds.

 

Please see USEF Bylaws Part VII and Supplemental Procedures for Complaints and Grievances for details around Complaints and Grievances. 

 

For questions regarding Amateur/Professional Status and the Rules please email Amateur Inquiry.

Forms and Publications

USEF Horse Welfare & Safety Penalty Guidelines

The Horse Welfare & Safety Penalty Guidelines (“Guidelines”) have been prepared to inform the Federation membership of the types and ranges of penalties that may be imposed for rule violations based on the categories below. These Guidelines also assist the Hearing Committee Panels in the imposition of consistent and efficient penalties.

Supplemental Procedures for Complaints and Grievances

Bylaw 701.3 authorizes the Federation’s Regulation Department (FRD) to generally administer and oversee all complaints and empowers the FRD to promulgate procedures in addition to those set forth in the Bylaws for effective administration of reports of violations or formal complaints received by the Federation. Under this authority, the FRD adopts these additional procedures.

USEF Rule Violation Reporting Form

If you wish to report a rule violation please enter the details on this form. The form can be returned to a Licensed Official or returned directly to the Federation Regulation Department at [email protected] Any questions should be directed to the Director, Regulation Department at [email protected]

Disciplinary Action Complaint Fillable Form

This complaint form must be used when filing a Disciplinary Action Complaint. A complaint that is not filed in accordance with Federation Bylaws shall render the filing ineffective and the complaint shall not be considered to have been properly filed. The complaint shall be filed with the Federation Regulation Department at [email protected] Any questions should be directed to the Director, Regulation Department at [email protected]

Disciplinary Action Complaint Form

This complaint form must be used when filing a Disciplinary Action Complaint. A complaint that is not filed in accordance with Federation Bylaws shall render the filing ineffective and the complaint shall not be considered to have been properly filed. The complaint shall be filed with the Federation Regulation Department at [email protected] Any questions should be directed to the Director, Regulation Department at [email protected]

NGB Compliance Complaint Fillable Form

This complaint form is to be used when filing an NGB Compliance Complaint. A complaint that is not filed in accordance with Federation Bylaws shall render the filing ineffective and the complaint shall not be considered to have been properly filed. The complaint shall be filed with the Federation Regulation Department at [email protected] At the time of filing, Claimant must also serve a copy of the complaint on [email protected] and [email protected] The Bylaws are published on the Federation website at www.usef.org Any questions should be directed to the Director, Regulation Department at [email protected]

NGB Compliance Complaint Form

This complaint form is to be used when filing an NGB Compliance Complaint. A complaint that is not filed in accordance with Federation Bylaws shall render the filing ineffective and the complaint shall not be considered to have been properly filed. The complaint shall be filed with the Federation Regulation Department at [email protected] At the time of filing, Claimant must also serve a copy of the complaint on [email protected] and [email protected] The Bylaws are published on the Federation website at www.usef.org Any questions should be directed to the Director, Regulation Department at [email protected]

Athlete's Guide to Filing a Grievance Regarding Opportunity to Participate

This document provides Athletes with a guide to filing a Grievance regarding an Opportunity to Participate under Bylaw 702 and 704.

Opportunity to Participate Complaint Fillable Form

This complaint form must be used when filing an Opportunity to Participate Complaint with the Federation. A complaint that is not filed in accordance with Federation Bylaws shall render the filing ineffective and the complaint shall not be considered to have been properly filed. The complaint shall be filed with the Federation Regulation Department at [email protected] At the time of filing, Claimant must also serve a copy of the complaint on [email protected], [email protected], and any affected parties. Any questions should be directed to the Director, Regulation Department at [email protected]

Opportunity to Participate Complaint Form

This complaint form must be used when filing an Opportunity to Participate Complaint with the Federation. A complaint that is not filed in accordance with Federation Bylaws shall render the filing ineffective and the complaint shall not be considered to have been properly filed. The complaint shall be filed with the Federation Regulation Department at [email protected] At the time of filing, Claimant must also serve a copy of the complaint on [email protected], [email protected], and any affected parties. Any questions should be directed to the Director, Regulation Department at [email protected]