After consultation with the USA Weightlifting Sports Medicine Society, the Sports Medicine department of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee and medical experts in the Salt Lake City, Utah area, USA Weightlifting has decided to move forward with the in-person component of the 2021 Nike USA Weightlifting North American Open Series 1 and National University Championships powered by Rogue Fitness scheduled for March 4-7.

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USA Weightlifting will continue to consult with these experts and track the pandemic’s impact around the country. USA Weightlifting reserves the right to further modify, restrict and or cancel the in-person competition, should the COVID-19 situation deteriorate significantly.

As previously announced, athletes will have the option of lifting in-person at the Maverik Center or lifting online, via Zoom, at their home or a gym of their choosing.

Athletes registered for the in-person event can switch to the online competition option up until the Verification of Final Entries meeting, 10-10:30 AM Mountain Time, March 1, 2021, by emailing events@usaweightlifting.org. Athletes registered for the online competition have the option of switching to the in-person event by emailing events@usaweightlifting.org until 2 PM Mountain Time on Thursday, February 11, 2021.

Under no circumstances will an athlete be allowed to compete in the in-person competition if they fail to register for the in-person competition by the above outlined deadlines. For example, if an athlete is registered for the online event and shows up to lift in-person in Salt Lake City, they will not be permitted to compete in-person, they must lift virtually.

The registration window for the event will be extended until 2 PM Mountain time on Thursday, February 11, 2021. A preliminary schedule will be released by Saturday, February 13, 2021. The final schedule for this competition will be released after the Verification of Final Entries, on Monday, March 1, 2021.

Rules and processes surrounding the in-person component of the hybrid event will be dictated by our Back to Lifting guidelines available here.

Athletes and coaches intending on attending the in-person event must produce one of the following to be allowed to participate in the in-person event:

-A negative PCR COVID-19 test taken between February 26 - March 1, 2021. The result must be presented by the time participants are picking up their credentials at the venue. OR; Written or electronic documentation of recovery from COVID-19 after a previous SARS-CoV-2 infection in the form of a positive viral test result and a letter from a licensed healthcare provider or public health official stating the individual has been cleared. The infection had to occur within 90 days of March 1, 2021 OR; Proof of vaccine where the second injection was given on or before February 19, 2021.

These guidelines mirror current CDC guidelines for international travel into the United States. Click here to learn more from the CDC.

COACHES WHO INTEND ON ATTENDING THE IN-PERSON COMPETITION, MUST REGISTER AS A COACH FOR THE EVENT IN BARS AND MUST PRODUCE A NEGATIVE PCR COVID-19 TEST OR PROOF OF RECOVERY AS OUTLINED ABOVE. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THIS PROCEDURE WILL RESULT IN THE COACH NOT BEING ALLOWED INTO THE VENUE.

Per our Back to Lifting guidelines, spectators will not be permitted into the venue. Spectators are encouraged to watch the competition on www.USAWeightlifting.org. Athletes and coaches will only be allowed in the venue during their scheduled competition time. It is imperative that athletes and coaches familiarize themselves with the Back to Lifting guidelines as they will be strictly adhered to in-venue.

USA Weightlifting intends on offering PCR tests for members to purchase if tests are not available in their local communities. Further information will be forthcoming.

As previously announced, in this hybrid event, athletes will be called to lift in order, like a normal weightlifting competition, no matter if they are lifting at home or in-venue. When it’s an athlete’s time to lift, the bar will be loaded at their declared weight, no matter if they are competing in-venue or remotely via Zoom. Screens available in-venue will be used to view the remote athletes in real time.

Athletes lifting virtually must follow all federal, state and local safety regulations surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

Please email events@usaweightlifting.org for questions.

Update on In-Person Competition in Salt Lake City

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