Will the USATF Championships ever be the same? Could a single rule change redefine competition and shake up the future of American track and field? A dramatic shift in the qualifying system is set to alter the way athletes earn their spots in the finals—sparking both praise and backlash. Is this an evolution of the sport, or does it threaten the integrity of fair competition?

For decades, USATF’s championship trials have been known for their brutal all-or-nothing format, where even the most elite athletes must prove themselves under pressure. Now, a fresh pilot program is set to chart a new path—one that grants top performers a direct ticket to the final. Some argue this rewards consistency and excellence, aligning USATF with international standards. Others believe it undermines the essence of track and field: the battle of competition itself. As the stakes rise, so does the controversy, with discussions escalating among athletes, coaches, and fans alike.

The first glimpse of this transformation came through a tweet by track and field expert Jonathan Gault, who revealed the specifics of the new qualifying system. Taking to X, he wrote, “USATF will add a prelim in the shot put & pole vault at this year’s US champs. And it will offer byes directly to the final for top performers from the regular season. USATF scrapped plans to do the same in steeple after negative athlete/coach feedback.”

By granting top athletes direct entry into the final, USATF is seemingly prioritizing consistency and elite-level performance over the unpredictable, high-pressure nature of a full championship run. Supporters of the change argue that this mirrors global trends in athletics, where top-ranked competitors in other major events—such as the European Championships—receive byes into later rounds, allowing them to conserve energy for the most critical moments.

Byes represents a strategic shift in USATF’s qualification process—one driven by major external influences. For years, the USATF High Performance Division has studied models from the European Championships and World Athletics events, searching for ways to refine the championship format. But why introduce this change now?

Reports suggest pressure from the US Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC), which has pushed for a stronger focus on medal-winning potential at global competitions. The new system appears designed to ensure peak performance from top-tier athletes when it matters most—at the Olympics and World Championships. If successful in the shot put and pole vault, this pilot program could set the stage for a broader transformation across multiple track and field events, reshaping the very structure of the USATF Championships.

As USATF navigates backlash over its qualification changes, it also grapples with a financial landscape. One that has already shifted—one where international events now dominate athlete earnings and challenge USATF’s influence.

USATF faces financial crisis as global Track and Field prize money soars

USATF faced growing financial difficulty due to rising global track and field prize money levels back in December. It faced a $5 million net deficit as revenues declined, putting it in a financial bind. Meanwhile, international events like the Diamond League, Athlos, and GST offered millions in prize money. With GST alone boasting a $12.6 million pool!

The tax reports of the governing body indicated that their revenues have declined significantly to $35.01 million, from $37.94 million. And back in December last year, it further dipped to $5.60 million, after a loss of $6.72 million in 2022. With this, the USATF reserves declined to $597,933 in 2022 to $4.491 in 2023. USATF faced diminished control over American track and field. It lacked the sponsorship financial capacity to match the money on offer from international competitions, especially after running a longstanding sponsorship agreement with Nike.

At the same time, individual athletes were thriving financially through independent sponsorships and global competitions, raising questions about USATF’s role in supporting its talent. Noah Lyles (Adidas) and Eric Holt (Puma) mutually signed lucrative personal agreements that separated them from USATF’s financial domain. Athletes participating in the Diamond League and Athlos events now secure compensation independently. This reduces their need for support from national governing bodies. The trends indicate that USATF might experience difficulties keeping its elite athletes. It will challenge its financial capacity and affect its sustainability throughout the developing track and field environment.

Can the governing body adapt to the changing landscape of track and field? Is it at risk of losing control over the sport it once dominated?