The following email was sent to all registered participants for the 2022 Houston Texan Kids Triathlon presented by Texas Children’s Hospital on April 4, 2022 at 7:15am.

The Houston Texans Kids Triathlon presented by Texas Children’s Hospital is a USA Triathlon sanctioned event. This means that not only do you have the confidence to know that the race will be safe, sanctioned, and insured but also that we follow a uniform set of rules with other USAT events. In addition, I am a USAT Certified Race Director and many on my race crew are USAT Certified Coaches and Race Directors as well.

In order to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone, I’ve put together a general list of event rules from USAT (and some event-specific rules) that I expect everyone will be adhering to throughout the event. This information can be found on the EVENT RULES page of the race website. Please note these are just some of the highlighted rules for this event. For a complete listing of USAT rules check out the USA Triathlon Competitive Rules page.

SAFESPORT & MAAPP
As a USAT Certified Race Director for youth events, I undergo annual background checks and maintain a certification from the U.S. Center for SafeSport.

The following information was provided by the U.S Center for SafeSport and is required to be read by all who will be in attendance at the event.
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The U.S. Center for SafeSport has created the Minor Abuse Prevention Policies (MAAPP), a collection of proactive prevention and training policies for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement to help create a safer and healthier environment in which minor athletes can thrive.

The MAAPP was originally released in 2019 to support organizations and individuals in preventing abuse in sport and meeting requirements under federal law. As a member of USA Triathlon and participants at a USA Triathlon sanctioned event, you are required to follow these policies.

The MAAPP focuses on in-program contact between an adult participant and minor athlete, and covers the following Required Prevention Policies: One-on-One Interaction, Meeting and Training Sessions, Athletic Training Modalities, Massages and Rubdowns, Locker Rooms and Changing Areas, Electronic Communications, Transportation, and Lodging.

One-on-One Interaction, Athletic Training Modalities, Messages and Rubdowns, Locker Rooms and Changing Areas apply at all facilities or locations that are partially or fully under the jurisdiction of USA Triathlon. Partial or full jurisdiction includes the following:

  • Any sanctioned event or competition by USA Triathlon
  • Any facility that USA Triathlon owns, leases, or rents for competition, training or practices
  • Any hotel or lodging that the team is using when travelling to a sanctioned USA Triathlon event or competition

All of the Required Prevention Policies must be followed by:

  • Adult participants of USA Triathlon who have regular contact with minor athletes
  • Adult participants authorized by USA Triathlon to have regular contact with minor athletes
  • Adult participants authorized by USA Triathlon to have authority over minor athletes
  • Adult staff and board members at USA Triathlon

One-on-One Interaction, Athletic Training Modalities, Massages and Rubdowns, Locker Rooms and Changing Areas ALSO need to be followed by:

  • Any adult participant at a facility that is partially or fully under the jurisdiction of USA Triathlon.

In preparation for the upcoming event, where MAAPP will be enforced, please review the comprehensive MAAPP overview here. To read the complete USA Triathlon Athlete Safety Policy please click here.

As a reminder, all adult participants – including those with one-day memberships – are Mandatory Reporters. If you see or hear a report of any form of abuse, whether sexual, physical, mental, or another type of abuse you are required to report that abuse with a 24-hour period. You can file a report to the Center through its online reporting form or by calling the Center at 833-587-7233.

If you have any additional questions or concerns, please email SafeSport@usatriathlon.org.
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Thank you for your continued support and for helping keep our event a safe event for all youth triathletes.

– Race Director Tony