APK does not recognize FIG as a governing or controlling body in Parkour. That being said, we do want to alert all parkour athletes of potential opportunities.
Here is the latest announcement from Mary McDaniel, Director of Olympic and Program Relations for USA Gymnastics.
Hello Parkour Community,
The FIG will be hosting a Parkour World Cup in Montpellier, France – May 10-12, 2024.
Attached are the 2024 Montpellier World Cup Selection Procedures, which detail and govern how the World Cup Competition Team will be selected, as well as the directives for the competition. Selection Video and Competition results, along with a color copy of your passport are due via email (parkour@usagym.org) by March 5th, 2024.
Requirements for participation in an FIG World Cup:
- Member of USA Gymnastics in good standing
- National of USA and a current passport valid until at least November 12, 2024
- Valid FIG license
- At least 17 years of age before 12/31/2023
It is not necessary to be a USA Gymnastics member or have a valid FIG license to submit a video and results for consideration for the Team.
Please pass this information to anyone who may be interested.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Best regards,
Mary
Below is the content of the Selection Process Document sent with the notification.
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2024 Parkour World Cup Selection Procedures
Montpellier, France – May 10th – 12th, 2024
February 12, 2024
1.0 Introduction
The purpose of this document is to outline the process that will be used by USA Gymnastics to nominate athletes to the 2024 World Cup in Montpellier, France.
1.1 Delegation Size and Financial Considerations
The U.S. Parkour delegation will be composed of:
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Maximum of 8 athletes (4 women, 4 men)
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Maximum 2 Team Coaches
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1 Head of Delegation
USA Gymnastics will cover accommodation, board, and competition costs for two (2) female athletes and two (2) male athletes. All athletes will be responsible for their flight cost and will be required to book tickets within given time parameters.
Estimated costs to be considered:
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Airfare: $1500-$2000 per person
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Room: 117€/night – single room, 61€/night per person – double room (covered for two males and two females)
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Meals: 27 euro per meal
1.2 Key Dates
March 5, 2024 Selection video and competition results due to USAG
March 22, 2024 Announcement of World Cup Team
May 11-12, 2024 FIG Parkour World Cup – Montpellier, France
2.0 Eligibility
Athletes are eligible for selection to the Team provided that:
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they are a national of the United States at the time of selection and hold a valid U.S. passport that will not expire for six months after the conclusion of the 2024 FIG Parkour World Cup – Montpellier, France;
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they are a minimum of 17 years of age by December 31, 2024;
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2.1 Requirements once selected
Athletes who are selected to the team must meet the following requirements before April 1, 2024:
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Be an athlete member in good standing of USA Gymnastics
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Hold a valid FIG license – USA Gymnastics will assist in securing the FIG license
3.0 Process
A.
All athletes invited to the 2023 FIG Parkour World Cup – Sofia, Bulgaria by the FIG will automatically be selected to the team.
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FIG-invited athletes must confirm their participation by February 20, 2024.
B.
Eligible athletes must:
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Submit a video of their freestyle run and/or speed run.
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The video must be taken within six (6) months of submission.
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Videos should show full runs (at minimum :35 seconds); short clips of skills will not be considered.
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Videos must be submitted by March 5, 2024.
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Competition video is preferred, but not required for freestyle run.
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Competition video is required for speed run.
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Submit competition results.
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At least one (1) set of competition results is required.
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Only results from 2022-2024 will be accepted.
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Results must state if they are from preliminary competition or finals, if applicable.
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Results should include:
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Freestyle; Score, final placement; including total number of participants
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Speed: Time, final placement, including total number of participants
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Results must state date, location and name of competition. Video of competition is preferred but not required.
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Results must be verifiable (i.e., posted online or picture of results with required information).
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Results must be submitted by March 5, 2024.
C.
Up to four (4) athletes of each gender (M/F) will be ranked and selected by the selection committee to the World Cup team using the following discretionary criteria: (criteria listed in order of importance)
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Difficulty and variation of Parkour moves highlighted by the use of obstacles during the run commensurate with the FIG Code of Points and World-level competitors.
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Competition ability compared to World-level competitors.
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Prior FIG competition experience and results.
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Type of competition/experience submitted – Live/in-person competitions will hold more weight compared to online competitions.
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Athletes who actively compete in both Speed and Freestyle (athletes will not be penalized/dismissed for only competing in just one event).
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Difficulty and variation of acrobatic moves throughout the run to show flow and mastery commensurate with World-level competitors.
Note: If there are only enough interested parties as there are slots available, all athletes who submit videos and competition results will be selected, provided they meet the minimum qualifications set forth in Section 2.0 and 2.1 and are approved by the Selection Committee.
The top two ranked athletes will qualify for partial-funding as described in Section 1.1.
D.
No petitions will be considered.
E.
Removal of Athletes
An athlete who is to be nominated to the Team by USA Gymnastics may be removed as a nominee for any of the following reasons, as determined by USA Gymnastics:
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Voluntary withdrawal. Athlete must submit a written letter to the Chief Programs Officer.
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Athletes who voluntarily withdraw past April 10th, 2024 will be invoiced for accommodation, board, and competition fees paid by USA Gymnastics on their behalf.
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Injury or illness which inhibits peak performance which shall be determined by an examining physician and verified by USA Gymnastics medical staff.
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Violation of USAG Safety and Response Policy, U.S. Center for SafeSport or USAG Code of Ethical Conduct.
An athlete who is removed from the Team pursuant to this provision has the right to a hearing per USA Gymnastics’ Opportunity to Participate grievance policy.
An athlete may be removed as a nominee to the Team or from the Team for an adjudicated violation of IOC, PASO, IPC, WADA, FIG, USADA and/or USOPC anti-doping protocol, policies, and procedures, as applicable.
4.0 Coach Selection
A.
The coaches for the 2024 World Cup Competition team will be selected from among the personal coaches of the team members. Coaches are completely self-funded.
1.
The Selection Committees will name the 2024 World Cup coaches following the determination of the 2024 World Cup team based on the number of available credentials and the needs of the team.
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2.
Criteria to be considered in selecting the 2024 World Cup Competition coaches include (not listed in order of importance):
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USA Gymnastics Competitive Coach member in good standing
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Possess an FIG Coaching license
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Technical knowledge of FIG Code of Points
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Compliance with the USA Gymnastics Safety and Response Policy and Code of Ethical Conduct
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Identified in writing by a participating athlete as his or her coach
3. If there are more coaches than available coach credentials, coaches of funded athletes will be considered first and then by random draw.
B.
Removal of Coach
1.
A coach who is to be selected to the 2024 World Cup Competition team by USA Gymnastics may be removed for any of the following reasons, as determined by USA Gymnastics:
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Voluntary withdrawal. Coach must submit a written letter to USA Gymnastics Chief Programs Officer.
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Injury or illness which inhibits peak performance which shall be determined by an examining physician and verified by USA Gymnastics medical staff.
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Violation of USA Gymnastics Code of Ethical Conduct.
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Violation of the U.S. Center for SafeSport and/or USA Gymnastics policies and procedures.
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Should an athlete be removed from the team pursuant to 3.0 D., the personal coach of that athlete may also be removed. Factors that may be taken into consideration when evaluating removal include timing of the removal, availability of credentials, status of a replacement athlete, and the needs of the team.
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If the individual becomes ineligible for leadership.
2.
Any decision to remove a coach may be reviewed through the Opportunity to Participate grievance policy.
5.0 Selection Committee
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Parkour Expert
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Coach, Judge, or Athlete Representative
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Athlete Representative
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USA Gymnastics Representative (voice, no vote)
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USA Gymnastics Conflict of Interest Guide for Athlete Selection defines the process that is
used to handle any potential conflicts of interest.
Conflict of Interest Policy
In the event that any Selection Committee member has a conflict of interest or is unable to
fulfill the obligations of the Selection Committee or continue for any reason, the Chief
Programs Officer will name a replacement.
6.0 Anti-Doping Requirements
Athletes must adhere to all IOC, PASO, WADA, FIG, USADA and USOPC anti-doping protocols, policies and procedures, as applicable. This includes participation in Out-of-Competition Testing as required by the IOC, PASO, WADA, FIG, USADA and USOPC Rules, as applicable.
7.0 Announcement of Selection of Athletes and Coaches
The official announcement of team selection is the responsibility of USA Gymnastics. All internal verbal or written communication to athletes, coaches, or member associations regarding team selection is considered an “unofficial notice” and is NOT for public distribution. Official notice of team selection occurs when USAG provides a formal public “release” announcing the team selection, or when USAG partners with a multi-sport organization to formally announce a team.
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Date of nomination: March 22, 2024
8.0 Grievance Procedures
USA Gymnastics Opportunity to Participate Grievance Procedures can be found at:
https://usagym.org/PDFs/About%20USA%20Gymnastics/Governance/grievance.pdf
9.0 International Disclaimer
These procedures are based on IOC, PASO, as applicable, and/or FIG rules and regulations as presently known and understood. Any change in the selection procedures caused by a change in IOC, PASO, as applicable, 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 alteration or cancellation of any of the selection events listed in this document, these selection procedures will be revised.
10.0 Athlete Ombudsman
Athletes who have questions regarding their opportunity to compete that are not answered by USA Gymnastics may contact the USOPC Athlete Ombudsman’s office by:
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Telephone at 719-866-5000
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Email at athlete.ombudsman@usopc.org
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http://www.teamusa.org/For-Athletes/Athlete-Ombudsman.aspx
For more information, please contact Mary Mcdaniel via the email parkour@usagym.org