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2019 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS MEN’S ARTISTIC ATHLETE AND COACH SELECTION PROCEDURES

STUTTGART, GERMANY - OCTOBER 4 - 23 4/16/19

1. SELECTION SYSTEM

1.1. Provide the minimum eligibility requirements for an athlete to be considered for

nomination to the Team:

1.1.1. Nationality/Passport requirements: • Athlete must be a national of the United States at the time of selection. • Athlete must hold a valid U.S. passport that will not expire for six months

after the conclusion of World Championships.

1.1.2. Minimum International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) standards for participation (if any): • Athlete must be a minimum of eighteen (18) years of age by December 31,

2019. • Hold a valid FIG Athlete License at the time of 2019 World Championships

accreditation.

1.1.3. Other requirements (if any): Athlete must be a member in good standing of USA Gymnastics for all qualification events and the entirety of the 2019 World Championships.

1.2. Tryout Events: 1.2.1. Provide the event names, dates and locations of all trials, events and camps

to be used as part of the selection process (“Selection Events”).

Additional information regarding the final competition dates, competition schedule, the competition format, points program etc. will be published via the men’s page of the USA Gymnastics website at https://usagym.org/pages/men/events/program_events.html.

• 2019 Pan American Games will be conducted July 26 - August 11 in

Lima, Peru. • The 2019 U.S. Championships will be conducted August 8-10 in Kansas

City, MO. • The 2019 World Team Selection Camp “Selection Camp” will be

conducted from September 5-9 in Colorado Springs, CO.

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1.2.2. Provide event names, dates, locations and description of how athletes qualify for the trials, events and camps listed above in 1.2.1. (if any). a. Athletes may qualify to participate at the 2019 Pan American Games

according to the published 2019 Pan American Games Selection Procedures which can be found at: https://usagym.org/pages/men/pages/selection_procedures.html

b. Athletes may qualify to compete in the 2019 U.S. Championships through the following methods: • Senior National Team members who are named following the 2019

Winter Cup Challenge being held February 15-17. • From the 2019 NCAA Championships being held April 19-20 at

University of Illinois: The top 6 rank order all-around (U.S. citizens) from among the top 12 All Around athletes at the 2019 NCAA Championships who are not pre-qualified to the U.S. Championships.

• Qualify to the 2019 U.S. Championships based on the National Points Ranking System from the 2019 National Qualifier to be held on or about July 5-7, at the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The number of athlete positions available from the qualifier will be a minimum of ten (10) athletes. An athlete who is unable to participate in the 2019 National Qualifier may petition to compete in the 2019 U.S. Championships using the process described in 1.4.

c. Athletes will be invited to participate at the Selection Camp by: • At the conclusion of the U.S. Championships, the World

Championships Team Selection Committee will select up to a maximum of eight (8) athletes from among the 2019 U.S. Championships competitors, 2019 Pan American Games participants (who meet the criteria specified in 1.3.3) or from petitions to the 2019 World Championships Team Squad using the criteria listed in 1.3.4. These athletes will comprise the World Championships Team Squad.

1.3. World Championships Team Selection

1.3.1. Provide a comprehensive, step-by-step description of the method that

explains how athletes will go through the selection process to become Team nominees (include maximum Team size).

The results from the Selection Events will be used to identify the team which will produce the highest medal potential for the five-man team. Because there are two competition formats that will be contested in Stuttgart at the 2019 World Championships where three (3) athletes

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compete, three (3) scores count AND four (4) athletes compete and three (3) scores count), as well as All Around and individual event medal considerations, a variety of scenarios need to be evaluated by the 2019 World Championships Selection Committee.

The process for selection of the five (5) team members and replacement gymnasts for the team competition at the World Championships is a combination of the following:

a. Pan American Games participants who wish to be considered for

placement on the World Championships squad must: • Present a statement in writing of their intention to use their Pan

American Games scores (as defined in 1.3.1.b) as their qualification event for selection to the World Championships Team Squad. The statement must be received by the Vice President of Men’s Program no later than July 24, 2019.

• Present a video* of all routines performed at the 2019 Pan American Games to the USA Gymnastics Vice President of Men’s program no later than August 6, 2019. These videos will be judged by the relevant 2019 U.S. Championships event panel judges prior to the conclusion of 2019 U.S. Championships (i.e. the FX panel will judge all FX routines, the PH panel will judge all PH routines, etc.). The scores generated by the 2019 US Championships judges will be deemed as the final results from the Pan American Games.

• Athletes who choose to use the Pan American Games as their qualifying event for consideration to be named to the World Championships Team Squad may not use scores from the 2019 U.S. Championships for consideration.

*Videos must be presented on USB memory stick or posted on an accessible web based platform.

b. Final Results: The Final Results will be determined using combined

results from the All Around events at either the 2019 Pan American Games, as defined in 1.3.1.a or the 2019 U.S. Championships (2 days of competition) and the 2019 World Team Selection Camp (2 days of competition). The 2019 Pan American Games or the 2019 U.S. Championships combined with the 2019 World Team Selection Camp are the Selection Events.

c. Automatic Selection:

• Place first in the Final Results (as defined in b.) at the conclusion of the 2019 World Team Camp.

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• Place second in the Final Results (as defined in b.) at the conclusion of the 2019 World Team Camp. In addition, to be eligible for automatic selection, the second place athlete must have placed in the top three (3) on a minimum of three (3) of the six (6) individual events using the Final Results (as defined in b.). An athlete who places second in the Final Results but does not place in the top three (3) on three (3) different events may be selected to the team as provided for in items 1.3.1.d. below.

d. Discretionary Selection: Athletes who do not automatically qualify to

the team as noted in c. above will be considered by the 2019 World Championships Selection Committee through an evaluation of the factors outlined below. The pool of competitors to be considered for selection under this method consists of athletes who competed in the selection events, as noted in 1.3.b, or from submitted petitions to qualify directly to the 2019 World Championships Team following the process outlined in 1.4. Up to four (4) athletes may be selected if no athlete meets the automatic qualification criteria as noted in 1.3.1.c. At least one (1) and up to three (3) replacement athletes will also be selected from this pool of competitors.

Factors to be considered for Discretionary Selection: In addition to any athlete(s) who may qualify to the team per 1.3.1.c, the 2019 World Championships Selection Committee will consider the factors noted in 1.3.1.d.i and 1.3.1.d.ii below when selecting the remaining World Championships Team members and potential replacement athletes (at least one (1) and up to three (3)).

Team Score Scenarios using the final results: as defined in 1.3.1.b – The top 10 team score scenarios will be created from the final results using: • the top three (3) scores for each athlete and • the top two (2) scores for each athlete for both team qualification

and team finals formats.

The team score scenarios and factors listed below will be evaluated using the criteria as noted:

i. The team score scenarios using the top three (3) scores in the team

finals format will be given precedence when evaluating the team using the following criteria: • Team medal potential (as perceived based on the final results

compared to available results from the top five (5) countries in the world from FIG sanctioned competitions held in 2018 and 2019).

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• Ability of team to successfully qualify to the team finals (as perceived based on the team scores scenarios compared to available results for the top 12 countries with teams qualified to the World Championships from FIG sanctioned competitions held in 2018 and 2019).

• Medal potential for All-Around and Individual Event competition (as perceived based on the available results for the top six (6) athletes in the all-around and the top six (6) athletes for each individual event from FIG sanctioned competitions held in 2018 and 2019).

ii. The following information will only be used to provide additional information in the event of special circumstances or failure of the committee to come to a final decision using the criteria noted in 1.3.1.d.i. • The team scenarios using the top two (2) scores per athlete may

be used for further evaluation in the case of a petitioned athlete or an athlete who may not be able to complete all events in all sessions of the selection events due to sickness or injury.

• The percentage of hit routines by the gymnast in the Selection Events. A hit routine is defined as a routine that does not include a large deduction or greater (as defined in the FIG Code of Points) on any single skill within the routine.

• Start values (D Score) on each apparatus from the Selection Events (average of all routines performed).

• Execution (E Score) on each apparatus from the Selection Events (average of all routines performed).

• All scores from the selection events to be used for evaluating consistency.

• Past domestic and international performance and experience, including type, frequency, routine hit percentage and caliber of the event(s).

• Demonstrated professional attitude and ability to positively contribute to the team dynamic.

• Any physical, training or performance factor, which might inhibit peak performance at the 2019 World Championships.

The 2019 World Championships Selection Committee will name the World Championships team members and replacement athletes, as well as designate one (1) replacement athlete as the traveling replacement athlete within 24 hours of the conclusion of the second day of competition at the Selection Camp.

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1.4 Petition Procedures

Notwithstanding the process identified in the preceding sections of these Selection Procedures, USA Gymnastics recognizes that extraordinary and unforeseen circumstances may occur which would cause an athlete otherwise deserving of a spot on the 2019 World Championships Team because of his previous competition results to be unable to participate in one or more steps in that process.

1.4.1. Petition Rights: USA Gymnastics will allow athletes, with a specific injury,

illness or unusual circumstance, which prohibits the athlete from participating in the competitive process, to petition USA Gymnastics for the right to:

a. To be selected to the 2019 Pan American Games team as provided for

in the 2019 Pan American Games Selection Procedures. b. Enter the 2019 U.S. Championships as determined by the Men’s

Program Committee (MPC). c. To be selected to the 2019 World Championships Team Squad with the

ability to participate at the Selection Camp, as determined by the 2019 World Championships Selection Committee.

d. To be selected to the 2019 World Championships Team, as determined by the 2019 World Championships Selection Committee.

1.4.2. Petition Procedures and Requirements

a. Only athletes who meet the following criteria may submit a petition: • A petition to be named to the 2019 Pan American Games team may

be submitted as provided for in the 2019 Pan American Games Selection Procedures.

• A petition to enter the 2019 U.S. Championships may be submitted by any athlete.

• A petition to the World Championships Team Squad may only be submitted by an athlete who can demonstrate through past results from USA Gymnastics Championships-level events, the World Championships, the Olympic Games or FIG World Cup events that they would be highly competitive with athletes selected to the 2019 World Championships team squad.

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• A petition to the World Championships Team may only be submitted by an athlete who has participated in a minimum of one (1) day of competition at one of the selection events as noted in 1.3.1.b. Further if an athlete has completed less than three (3) days of competition at the selection events, his average scores (final score, D Score and E score for each event) based on competition participation at any and all of the following, the 2018 U.S. Championships, 2019 Winter Cup Challenge and at all FIG sanctioned events in 2018 and 2019, will be used for the purpose of evaluating performance comparison for the team score scenarios noted in 1.3.1.d.

b. Petitions to the 2019 U.S. Championships will be considered for approval by the Men’s Program Committee and must be received by the Vice President of Men’s Program no later than the conclusion of the 2019 National Qualifier.

c. Petitions to the World Championships Team Squad or directly to the 2019 World Championships Team will be considered for approval by the 2019 World Championships Selection Committee. In order to be considered by the 2019 World Championships Selection Committee, petitions onto the 2019 World Championships Squad or Team must be submitted in writing to USA Gymnastics’ national office as soon as practical after the athlete becomes aware of his inability to participate in the applicable competition and no later than the conclusion of competition at the 2019 U.S. Championships, except as outlined in 1.4.2.d. below.

d. A petition directly to the World Championships team may be submitted by an athlete named to the World Championships Team Squad following the conclusion of the U.S. Championships based on injury, illness or unusual circumstance. In order to be considered by the 2019 World Championships Selection Committee, petitions onto the 2019 World Championships Team from a squad member must be submitted in writing to USA Gymnastics’ national office as soon as practical after the athlete becomes aware of his inability to participate in the Selection Camp and no later than the conclusion of competition at the Selection Camp. The 2019 World Championships Selection Committee may or may not require the athlete to attend the Selection Camp based on the circumstances.

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e. A petition must state the specific injury, illness or unusual circumstance, which prohibited the athlete from participating in the competitive process. In the case of a petition based upon an injury or illness, the petition must be accompanied by a physician’s statement, and the nature and extent of that injury or illness is subject to verification by a doctor approved by USA Gymnastics. Athletes must also be able to demonstrate through past competitive results from USA Gymnastics or FIG sanctioned events that they are highly competitive in the field with other athletes qualified for the 2019 U.S. Championships, or named 2019 World Championships squad or team, as applicable.

f. An athlete who successfully petitions to the World Championships Team will be required to demonstrate readiness. The criteria for demonstrating readiness are: i. The 2019 World Championships Selection Committee will inform

the athlete on which events he must show readiness as well as indicate the date by which readiness must be shown. The athlete must perform full routines on those events in the presence of a World Team Selection Committee member or a representative designated by the committee (he may also perform routines on the other events). The routines will be videotaped.

ii. All of the athlete’s routines, via video, will be judged by a minimum of two (2) judges who participated as judges at the 2019 U.S. Championships.

iii. The World Championships Selection Committee will use the scores from the routines the athlete performed at the “Show of Readiness” and apply the selection criteria described in 1.3. to evaluate the athlete’s performance to assess whether the athlete has adequately shown readiness for the World Team.

iv. If the 2019 World Championships Selection Committee determines that the athlete’s performances are not at the level necessary to remain on the World Team, then the athlete will be removed from the World Team.

v. Replacement of the athlete will follow the guidelines described in Section 4.

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2. DISCRETIONARY SELECTION (if applicable) 2.1. Provide rationale for utilizing discretionary selection (if any):

The sport of gymnastics is a subjectively judged event. In the selection of athletes who will compete together as a team, it is difficult to make selection decisions based solely by the rank order to be competitive for both team and individual event medals. The current rules do not require athletes to compete on all events, which necessitate evaluating relative event strength and contribution to total team or event scores in order to maximize medal potential.

2.2. List the discretionary criteria and explain how they will be used (if any): Refer to Section 1.3.

2.3. Provide the name of the committee that will be responsible for making discretionary selections, along with a complete list of the members’ titles currently serving on the committee: 2019 World Championships Selection Committee

Name Title TBD Coach Representative TBD Coach Representative TBD Athlete Representative TBD At large Representative (coach, athlete or administrator) Brett McClure High Performance Director Dennis McIntyre Appointed by USA Gymnastics Board

Vice President of Men’s Program – Voice, no vote ex-efficio Independent Observer of Procedure – no voice – no vote

2.3.1. Specify the process that will be used to identify and handle any potential

conflicts of interest involving a member of the committee. In the event that a Selection Committee member is currently affiliated with any athlete in consideration for the 2019 World Championships Team or is unable to fulfill the obligations of the Selection Committee or continue for any reason, the Men’s Program Committee will name a replacement.

3. REMOVAL OF ATHLETES 3.1 An athlete selected for the 2019 World Championships Squad or Team by USA

Gymnastics may be removed for any of the following reasons, as determined by USA Gymnastics:

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3.1.1. Voluntary withdrawal. Athlete must submit a written letter to the President of USA Gymnastics.

3.1.2. Injury or illness, which inhibits peak performance as certified by a physician (or medical staff) approved by USA Gymnastics. If an athlete refuses verification of his illness or injury by a physician (or medical staff) approved by USA Gymnastics, his injury will be assumed to be disabling and he may be removed.

3.1.3. Violation of USA Gymnastics’ Safe Sport Policy, Code of Ethical Conduct, National Team Agreement, or Men’s Program National Team Responsibilities Manual.

3.1.4 Failure to attend and participate in the competitive sessions at the Selection Camp.

3.1.5. Removal may only occur by action of the President of USA Gymnastics after consultation with the Vice President of Men’s Program, High Performance Director and an athlete representative. Any decision to remove an athlete may be reviewed through USA Gymnastics Grievance Procedures. An athlete who may be removed from the Team pursuant to this provision has the right to a hearing per USA Gymnastics Bylaws (Article 10).

3.2. An athlete may be removed from the team at any time for violation of WADA, FIG,

and/or USADA anti-doping protocol, policies and procedures, as applicable. In such instances, the adjudication process will be managed through the United States Anti-Doping Agency.

4. REPLACEMENT OF ATHLETES

4.1. Describe the selection and approval process for determining replacement athlete(s)

should a vacancy occur: 4.1.1. Describe the process by which the replacement athletes will be identified:

• The 2019 World Championships Selection Committee will identify up to three (3) potential replacements to the 2019 World Championships Team using the criteria described in Section 1.3.

• One (1) replacement athlete, as identified in 1.3 will travel with the 2019 World Championships Team to Germany.

• Should a replacement athlete be selected to fill a vacancy on the World Championships team following the mandatory Selection Camp, the High Performance Director, World Team Head Coach and Vice President of Men’s Program, after consultation with the other personal coaches of the 2019 World Championships Team, if necessary, will determine which replacement athlete will travel to the 2019 World Championships.

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4.1.2. Describe how the replacement athlete(s) will be selected, should a vacancy occur:

a. Prior to team selection at the mandatory Selection Camp:

By the 2019 World Championships Selection Committee.

b. After Team Selection at the mandatory Selection Camp:

By the World Team Head coach (TBD), High Performance Director (Brett McClure) and the Vice President of Men’s Program (Dennis McIntyre).

4.1.3. Identify the group or committee that will be responsible for making athlete

replacement determinations:

See 4.1.2. 5. COACH SELECTION

5.1.1 Describe the process by which the World Championships Team Coaches will

be identified, including criteria used in the selection process: a. All World Team Coaches must be USA Gymnastics Professional

Members in good standing. b. Head Coach

The Head Coach for the 2019 World Championships Team will be selected by the World Team Selection Committee. The selection of the head coach will be based upon the following criteria: • Experience and demonstrated team leadership ability on the field

of play in international competition • Ability to communicate to the athletes and other personal coaches

and follow the established 2019 World Championships competition plan.

• Working knowledge and familiarity with World Championships team athletes as demonstrated through participation at previous national team camps and events.

• Demonstrated ability to place established team objectives and goals above individual athlete or personal goals.

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c. Additional Coaches Additional Coaches attending the 2019 World Championships as

officially credentialed members of the delegation will be selected by the Men's Program. The number of additional coaches will be determined by the Men’s Program Committee based on the number of available coaches’ credentials at the 2019 World Championships and available funding for the event. In addition, the MPC will first attempt to meet all credentialing needs using a “one (1) coach per program” approach. Additional coaches’ credentials will be assigned based on availability and performance factors.

5.1.2. Identify the group or committee that will be responsible for selection of the

World Championships Team coaches:

See 5.1.1. above 5.1.3. Removal of Coach

• Voluntary withdrawal. Coach must submit a written letter to the President of USA Gymnastics.

• Injury or illness which inhibits the ability to perform coaching duties as certified by an approved USA Gymnastics physician (or medical staff). If a coach refuses verification of his or her illness or injury by an approved USA Gymnastics physician (or medical staff), the injury will be assumed to be disabling and the coach may be removed.

• Violation of the USA Gymnastics’ Safe Sport Policy, Code of Ethical Conduct or Men’s Program National Team Responsibility Manual.

• A coach shall automatically be deemed removed if the individual becomes ineligible for leadership pursuant to Section 2.4 of USA Gymnastics Bylaws or fails to meet the affirmative duty required by Section 2.4 of the Bylaws.

• Should an athlete be removed from the team pursuant to Section III, the personal coach of that athlete may also be removed. Factors that may be taken into consideration when evaluating removal may include timing of the removal, availability of credentials, status of a replacement athlete, or the needs of the team.

§ Failure to attend the entire Selection Camp. • Any decision to remove a coach may be reviewed through USA

Gymnastics Grievance Procedures per the USA Gymnastics Bylaws (Article 10).

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5.1.4. Replacement of Coach

If necessary, the Selection Committee will identify the replacement coach using the Discretionary Selection criteria referenced in Section 5.1.1.

6. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

A World Team Selection Committee Report, outlining the work and decisions of the selection committee, will be produced for distribution to all athletes and coaches who participated in the selection events within 48 hours of the conclusion of the 2019 World Team Selection Camp. USA Gymnastics will retain the approved Selection Procedures and all supporting documents, including scouting or evaluation forms, etc., and data from the selection process for six (6) months past the date of the conclusion of the 2019 World Championships.

7. REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

The following documents are required to be adhered to by an athlete as a condition of nomination to the 2019 World Championships Team and can be found at https://usagym.org/pages/men/pages/selection_procedures.html. Safe Sport Policy USA Gymnastics Code of Ethical Conduct National Team Agreement Men’s Program National Team Responsibilities Manual

8. PUBLICITY/DISTRIBUTION OF PROCEDURES The approved Selection Procedures (complete and unaltered) will be posted/published by USA Gymnastics in the following locations: 8.1. USA Gymnastics Web site:

https://usagym.org/pages/men/pages/selection_procedures.html These procedures will be posted as soon as possible, but not more than five business days following notice of approval.

8.2. Other: Direct distribution to age-eligible national team members and their personal coaches.

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9. DATE OF NOMINATION See Section 1.3.

10. MANDATORY TRAINING AND/OR COMPETITION All 2019 World Championships squad members are required to attend the 2019 World Team Selection Camp. The scheduled dates for the Selection Camp are September 5-9 at the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO. The camp schedule will be published a minimum of 30 days prior to the 2019 U.S. Championships.

11. ANTI-DOPING REQUIREMENTS Athletes must adhere to all WADA, FIG, USADA and USOC anti-doping protocols, policies and procedures, as applicable. This includes participation in Out-of-Competition Testing as required by the WADA, FIG, USADA and USOC Rules, as applicable.

12. OLYMPIC QUALIFICATION DISCLOSURE Per the FIG Olympic Qualification System, at the 2019 World Championships the nine (9) best ranked NOC’s based on the Team ranking results of the Team Final will qualify a team quota place (four (4) athletes) for the 2020 Olympic Games. Athletes who participated on a team which qualified for the Olympic Games during the 2019 World Championships are not eligible to earn an individual qualification place to the Olympic Games at specified Qualification Events. See http://www.fig-gymnastics.com/site/rules/olympic for complete details.

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13. DEVELOPMENT OF SELECTION PROCEDURES

The following committee/group (include names and titles) was responsible for creating these Selection Procedures:

Men's Program Committee

Name Title Mike Serra Chairman Randy Jepson Senior Representative Karl Ziehn Senior Representative Sergei Pakanich Junior Representative Mike Serra Junior Representative Steven Legendre Athlete Representative Sho Nakamori Athlete Representative Dennis McIntyre Vice President of Men’s Program, Voice – no vote

ex-efficio Brett McClure High Performance Director, Voice – no vote Mike Juszczyk NGJA Representative, Voice – no vote

14. USA GYMNASTICS BYLAWS AND GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES

USA Gymnastics Bylaws and Grievance Procedures can be found at:

usagym.org

15. INTERNATIONAL DISCLAIMER

These procedures are based on IOC and/or FIG rules and regulations as presently known and understood. Any change in the selection procedures caused by a change in IOC, and/or FIG rules and regulations will be distributed to the affected athletes immediately. The selection criteria are based on the latest information available to USA Gymnastics. However, the selections are always subject to unforeseen, intervening circumstances, and realistically may not have accounted for every possible contingency. If any force of nature, or force majeure, should cause the altercation or cancellation of any of the selection events listed in this document, these selection procedures will be revised, pursuant to their resubmission to the president of USA Gymnastics.

16. USA GYMNASTICS SIGNATURES

I certify that I have read and understand the standards/criteria set by the FIG andincorporated those standards/criteria into our Selection Procedures. I further certify thatthe information provided herein regarding Selection Procedures represents the methodapproved by USA Gymnastics.

Position Print Name Signature Date

President/CEOLi Li Leung ~USA Gymnastics

Vice President ofDennis Mcintyre 4/16/19Men’s Program

Athlete~ Paul Ruggeri 4/19/19

Representative

\1Each athlete and coach participating in the process for selecting the 2019 WorldChampionships Team as outlined in these selection procedures has carefully reviewed,understands and agrees to the terms of the selection procedures. That understanding andagreement is reflected by the signature of the athlete and coach below.

Athlete Date

Parent (if athlete is under 18 years of age) Date

Coach Date

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