Attachment 4_DWG22 Rules Regulations and Classifications_20220808.pdf

8 August 2022 Official Release

2022 Rules, Regulations, & Classifications Handbook

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DOD Warrior Games Rules, Regulations, & Classifications Handbook

TABLE OF CONTENTS

RULES AND REGULATIONS 51

PREFACE .............................................................................................................. 1 54

GENERAL RULES .................................................................................................. 2 55

ULTIMATE CHAMPION ...................................................................................... 24 56

ARCHERY ........................................................................................................... 28 57

CYCLING ............................................................................................................ 40 58

FIELD ................................................................................................................. 55 59

INDOOR ROWING ............................................................................................. 71 60

POWERLIFTING .................................................................................................. 81 61

SHOOTING ........................................................................................................ 94 62

SITTING VOLLEYBALL ....................................................................................... 111 63

SWIMMING ..................................................................................................... 121 64

TRACK ............................................................................................................. 129 65

WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL .............................................................................. 142 66

WHEELCHAIR RUGBY ....................................................................................... 155 67

CODE OF CONDUCT FORM ............................................................................... 166 68

OFFICIAL SPORT PROTEST FORM ..................................................................... 167 69

Jump Button to ATHLETE CLASSIFICATIONS 70

- 1 -

PREFACE 71

The Warrior Games were established in 2010 to showcase and 72 celebrate the recovery and resiliency of our Nation’s Wounded 73

Warriors by introducing them to the world of competitive adaptive 74 sports. Sponsored by the U.S. Olympic Committee in Colorado 75

Springs, Colorado, the inaugural Warrior Games hosted 76 approximately 200 Wounded, Ill, and Injured Service Members and 77

Veterans. Under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Defense 78

(DOD), the Warrior Games have expanded in size and scope with 79 hundreds of athletes - from multiple countries - competing in 80 events across the sports of Archery, Cycling, Indoor Rowing, 81

Powerlifting, Shooting, Swimming, Track & Field, Sitting Volleyball, 82

Wheelchair Basketball, and Wheelchair Rugby. 83

General Rules - 2 -

GENERAL RULES 102

1 Rules, Regulations, and Classifications Overview ....................................... 3 105

2 Service Team Composition......................................................................... 4 106

3 Athlete Selection Criteria ........................................................................... 5 107

4 Service Team Sport Start Rights ................................................................. 6 108

5 Athlete Registration, Changes, and Substitution ........................................ 7 109

6 Athlete Classification ................................................................................. 9 110

7 Transgender Athletes .............................................................................. 11 111

8 Service Team Names, Colors, and Apparel ................................................ 12 112

9 Medal Presentations ............................................................................... 14 113

10 Sport Assistants ....................................................................................... 15 114

11 Medical Considerations ........................................................................... 17 115

12 Athlete Sport Classification and Competition Protests Procedures ........... 19 116

13 Service Animals ....................................................................................... 21 117

14 Prohibited Items ...................................................................................... 22 118

15 Disciplinary Protocols and Procedures ..................................................... 23 119

General Rules - 3 -

1.1 Foundation

1.2 Governance

1.3 Application

1.1.1 At their foundation, the Warrior Games Rules, Regulations, and Classifications 123 (RR&C) are inspired by governing organizations including but not limited to the 124 International Paralympic Committee, the Invictus Games Foundation, World 125 Championships, and other competitive/high-performance sport entities and 126 events. 127

1.1.2 All athletes, coaching staff, Service Team sports representatives, sport 128 officials/referees/judges, and Warrior Games Sport Event Managers must be 129 intimately knowledgeable with their respective sports’ adaptive/para-class 130

RR&C. 131

1.1.3 It must be universally understood by all that the Warrior Games RR&C do not 132 fall under the governance, oversight, or purview of these entities. 133

1.1.4 The Warrior Games is not a qualifying event for the Olympic and Paralympic 134 Games, International Olympic and Paralympic Committees sanctioned events, 135 Parapan American Games, World Championships, or Continental 136 Championships. 137

1.2.1 The Warrior Games RR&C: 139

…are exclusive to this event. 140

…establish specific guidance on additions, modifications, and retractions of sport 141 governing entity RR&C. 142

…are crafted to mitigate the risk of injury and maximize athlete participation in multiple sports. 143

…driven by the collected Uniformed Services athletes’ varied wounds, injuries, or illnesses 144 they 145 have incurred while in the service to our Nation. 146

1.3.1 The term “Service Team” is used to identify Warrior Games Teams within the 148 DOD Uniformed Services, the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), 149 and participating International Teams. 150

1.3.2 The Warrior Games RR&C serve as the official handbooks for participating 151 Service Teams in support of their athlete selection and training processes. 152

1.3.3 DOD Service Teams are composed of both Military and Veteran athletes who 153 are either currently enrolled in or have gone through their respective 154 Uniformed Service’s Recovery and Care programs prior to their date of 155 retirement or separation. 156

1.3.4 International Teams must adhere to all athlete eligibility and 157 disability/impairment classification criteria unless an exception has been cited 158 within the Warrior Games RR&C. 159

1.3.5 Additional sporting events may be offered outside of the Warrior Games 160 competition events; however, any RR&C and Run of Show components for 161 these team building opportunities are not included within the Warrior Games 162

1 Rules, Regulations, and Classifications Overview

General Rules - 4 -

RR&C handbooks. 163

General Rules - 5 -

2.1 Service Team Size and Military/Veteran Status

2.2 International Team Sports Consideration: “Spirit of the Games”

2.1.1 For 2022, all Service Teams are allowed up to 40 registered athletes. 167

2.1.2 For 2022, DOD Service Teams shall not be composed of more than 16 Veterans (40%). 168

2.1.3 If a DOD Service Team’s composition falls below the maximum total of 40 169 athletes due to a drop in the registered military athletes, the 16-Veteran 170 limitation is not required to be reduced during registration. 171

2.1.4 DOD Service Team athletes who transitioned - retirement or separation - to 172 Veteran status within the one year prior to the start date of the Warrior Games 173 will count as Active-Duty Service Members. DOD Service Team athletes who 174 transitioned more than one year from the start date of the Warrior Games will 175 count as Veterans. The official end date for 2022 is identified as the arrival 176 date of all DOD Service Team athletes; 29 August 2022. 177

2.1.5 International Teams are exempt from the 16-Veteran limitation established in 178 General Rules Section 2.1 due to their varied internal regulations, polices, and 179 selection processes native to their respective recovery and care programs; 180 however, they must still adhere to all athlete selection criteria IAW General 181 Rules Chapter 3. 182

2.2.1 If an International Team is unable to form a complete team comprised of their 184 own athletes, a “Spirit of the Games” exception may be requested authorizing 185 the formation of a Multinational Team. A Multinational Team will be formed 186 first by combining athletes from other incomplete International Teams. If 187 formation is still not possible, then DOD Service Team athletes competing within 188 that sport, but not selected for their own teams, may compete as part of a 189 Multinational Team. This exception overrides Service Team start right limits as 190 applicable to the following sports/competitions: 191

• Archery Team Compound and Team Recurve competitions 192

• Track Relay Teams 193

• Sitting Volleyball 194

• Swimming Relay Teams 195

• Wheelchair Basketball 196

• Wheelchair Rugby 197

2.2.2 All athletes competing as part of a Multinational Team placing in 1st, 2nd, and 198 3rd place will receive a medal. 199

2.2.3 Application of a “Spirit of the Games” exception must be requested through 200 the Warrior Games Sports Director and will be approved on a case-by-case 201 basis; its use must not adversely affect a sport event’s overall Run of Show. 202

2 Service Team Composition

General Rules - 6 -

3.1 Athlete Eligibility

3.2 Athlete Sports Participation

3.3 Developmental Team Athletes

3.4 Invictus Games Athletes

3.5 Athlete Ineligibility

3.1.1 Athletes are allowed to compete a maximum of two times in the Warrior Games. 206

3.1.2 Each Service Team is allowed a four-athlete exception to the two-year 207 maximum competition limit; this exception may be used no more than three 208 times on a single athlete. IAW this exception, the maximum number of Warrior 209 Games that any athlete may participate in is a total of five starting in 2016. 210

3.2.1 Athletes may compete in a maximum of five individual sports and any/all team sports. 212

3.2.2 Ultimate Champion (UC) athletes are exempt from the five individual sport 213 restriction established in General Rule 3.2.1. There is no restriction to the 214 number of sport events a UC athlete may compete in; however, they must still 215 adhere to the start rights and competition participation limits defined within 216 each sport event. 217

3.3.1 DOD Service Team athletes who are on developmental teams and/or receive the 219 Veterans Administration Monthly Assistance Allowance (VMAA) are eligible to 220 compete in the Warrior Games. 221

3.4.1 Athletes who have competed in the Invictus Games are eligible to compete in 223 the Warrior Games provided they do not fall under the restrictions established 224 in General Rules 3.5.1. 225

3.5.1 Athletes who have achieved any of the following standards/criteria 120 days 227 prior to the end of the Warrior Games, identified in General Rule 2.1.4 as 29 228 August 2022, are ineligible to compete within that sport(s): 229

• A current/former athletes on a National Team 230

• A current/former athletes on a Professional Sports Team 231

• A current/former athletes who has represented their nation, country, 232 federation, or foreign state in a sport(s) in any Olympic or Paralympic 233 Games, World Championship, and/or Continental Championship. 234

3.5.2 Athletes who are ineligible to compete in a Warrior Games sport(s) IAW 235 General Rule 3.5.1, may compete in any other sports in which they have not 236 met the above selection ineligibility restrictions. 237

3 Athlete Selection Criteria

General Rules - 7 -

4.1 Ultimate Champion (UC)

4.2 Archery

4.3 Cycling

4.4 Field

4.5 Indoor Rowing

4.6 Powerlifting

4.7 Shooting

4.8 Sitting Volleyball (SVB)

4.9 Swimming

4.10 Track

4.11 Wheelchair Basketball (WCB)

4.12 Wheelchair Rugby (WCR)

4.1.1 Each Service Team is allotted two UC athletes total across gender and classification. 241

4.1.2 UC athletes count against Service Team start rights in every sport competition they compete in. 242

4.2.1 Each Service Team is allotted two athletes for OPEN Compound. 244

4.2.2 Each Service Team is allotted two athletes for OPEN Recurve. 245

4.2.3 Each Service Team is allotted two athletes total across SEATED Compound, SEATED Recurve, 246 and 247 VI Archery; start rights cannot exceed three athletes in any one these 248 three individual competitions. 249

4.3.1 Each Service Team is allotted six athletes per gender, per classification, per 251 event competition (cycle type). 252

4.4.1 Each Service Team is allotted six athletes per gender, per classification, per event competition. 254

4.5.1 Each Service Team is allotted 14 athletes per event competition across gender and 256 classification. 257

4.6.1 Each Service Team is allotted 10 athletes total across gender and body weight categories. 259

4.7.1 Each Service Team is allotted 20 athletes total across gender, 261 classifications, and event competitions. 262

4.8.1 Each Service Team is allotted 12 athletes total across gender and classifications. 264

4.9.1 Each Service Team is allotted six athletes per gender, per classification, per event competition. 266

4.10.1 Each Service Team is allotted six athletes per gender, per classification, per event competition. 268

4.11.1 Each Service Team is allotted 10 athletes total across gender and classifications. 270

4.12.1 Each Service Team is allotted 10 athletes total across gender and classifications. 272

4 Service Team Sport Start Rights

General Rules - 8 -

5.1 Athlete Registration

5.2 Athlete Registration Changes

5.1.1 For 2022, Service Team athlete registration will be conducted using a Microsoft 276 Excel-based workbook provided by/managed by the Warrior Games Sports 277 Director. 278

5.1.2 The Service Team Leads/Action Officers (AO) will register their 40-athlete 279 teams by sports, classifications, and individual/team competitions with the 280 following team event exceptions: 281

• Archery Compound Team 282

• Archery Recurve Team 283

• Swimming Relay Teams 284

• Track Relay Teams 285

Athletes for the team event competitions listed above will be selected 286 from the registered athletes in these sports following results from their 287 individual competition results. 288

5.1.3 There will be no athlete alternates provided during the registration process 289 above the allotted 40- athlete submission; alternates are managed internally by 290 each Service Team. 291

5.1.4 For all team sport events, substitution athletes are drawn from the entirety of 292 the 40-athlete team roster. All substitutions must be classified for the team 293 events. For registration purposes, the required 10 or 12 names respectively 294 will be submitted on the official roster; however, they can be changed at any 295 time up to the event check-in the day of competition. 296

5.2.1 Athlete registration changes are submitted by a Service Team Lead/AO to the 298 Warrior Games Sports Director. 299

5.2.2 Athlete registration changes must adhere to the start rights and event/competition 300 participation 301 limits defined within each sport’s rules. 302

5.2.3 Athlete registration changes may be made to the 40-athlete team roster prior 303 to the closing of the initial registration window of 15 June 2022. Changes are 304 not required to be the same gender, sport classification, or compete in the 305 exact same sport events/competitions. Athletes may be dropped and added. 306

5.2.4 Athlete registration changes may be made to the 40-athlete team roster after 307 the closing of the initial registration window of 15 June 2022 up to the start of 308 the Warrior Games. The post- registration window is from 16 June 2022 309 through 15 August 2022. 310

5.2.5 Changes requested between 16 June 2022 through 15 July 2022 must be the 311 same gender, sport classification, or compete in the exact same sport 312 events/competitions. Athletes may be dropped and added. Changes are 313 approved on a case-by-case basis provided they do not adversely affect a sport 314 event’s Run of Show. 315

5.2.6 Changes requested between 16 July 2022 through 15 August 2022 must be the 316

5 Athlete Registration, Changes, and Substitutions

General Rules - 9 -same gender, sport classification, and compete in the exact same sport 317 events/competitions as the athlete they replace. Athletes may be dropped but 318 cannot be added. 319

5.2.7 Changes requested to a Service Team’s registered 40-athlete team “on the ground” may be 320 made 321 during the Warrior Games. 322

General Rules - 10 -

5.3 Warrior Games Sport Event Management and Operations

5.2.8 Changes requested during Warrior Games for individual sports must be the 323 same gender, sport classification, and compete in the exact same 324 events/competitions as the athlete they replace; athletes may be dropped but 325 cannot be added. 326

5.2.9 Changes requested during Warrior Games will be submitted by a Service Team 327 Lead/AO to the Warrior Games Sports Director NLT the Sport Technical 328 Meeting to ensure they have been correctly applied to the competition rosters. 329

5.2.10 It is understood that emergent situations may require substitutions after 330 established deadlines. These changes will be situation-driven and approved by 331 the Warrior Games Sports Director on a case-by-case basis. 332

5.3.1 There is no limit to how many times a Service Team may request changes to 334 their registration roster. The Warrior Games Sports Director will return the 335 updated rosters to the Service Leads typically within one to two days. 336

5.3.2 Sport Event Managers will provide “official” competition rosters to Service 337 Teams NLT 48 hours prior to the start of the sport event. Competition rosters 338 cannot be deemed “official” until all athlete classification updates have been 339 applied upon their arrival to the Warrior Games. 340

5.3.3 The Sport Event Technical Meeting will be held the evening prior to the start of 341 the sport event. The exact time for each sport’s meeting will vary depending on 342 other Run of Show requirements. The primary attendees include the Sport 343 Event Manager, the Service Team Leads or their appointed representative, and 344 the Warrior Sports Games Director. Additional attendees may include but are 345 not limited to the Head Official, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), the Head 346 Classifier, and each Service Team’s Head Coach. This is not an “all hands” 347 meeting; only key and essential personnel related to the meeting tasks-at-hand 348 are authorized to attend. 349

5.3.4 The Sport Event Technical Meeting is the final opportunity for each Service 350 Team to verify or request changes to the official competition rosters; these 351 changes include but are not limited to: 352

• Request corrections to athlete names, gender, classifications, sport 353 event/competitions, and equipment types. 354

• Report athlete drops/request substitutions if authorized/applicable by each sport event. 355

• IAW General Rules Section 11.2, request a medical waiver for use 356 of athletic tape if authorized/applicable by sport event. 357

• IAW General Rules Section 12.4, request an athlete classification protest. 358

5.3.5 Following any changes addresses at the Sport Technical Meeting, Sport Event 359 Managers will provide “official-final” competition rosters prior to the start of 360 the event. Additional arrangements may be provided as/if applicable to that 361 sport. Service Teams must reverify the final competition rosters as soon as 362 they have been published. 363

5.3.6 All errors to the “official-final” competition rosters made by Warrior Games 364 Sport Event Staff will be corrected at the event check-in. Requests for changes 365 to errors to “official-final” competition rosters made by the Service Teams after 366 they have been published will be approved at the event check-in on a case-by-367

General Rules - 11 -case basis provided they do not present an adverse impact to the event’s 368 overall Run of Show. 369

General Rules - 12 -

6.1 Scope

6.2 Warrior Games Classification Committee

6.1.1 The Warrior Games Classification System is sport-specific in which classification 373 protocols such as testing impairments for flexibility, range of motion and/or 374 strength, and functional observation are considered to ensure correct athlete 375 classification specific to each sport. 376

6.1.2 When possible, athlete classifications will be determined prior to athlete 377 registration and arrival at the Warrior Games and IAW established Warrior 378 Games classification criteria. Accurate athlete classification is required to 379 register athletes IAW start rights criteria. Athlete classification is the 380 responsibility of each participating Service Team and performed at their 381 respective Warrior Games team selection trials and/or sport camps. 382

6.1.3 When possible, Athlete classification by Service Teams will be performed by 383 professional personnel who possess certification or experience in adaptive 384 sport classifications to include but not limited to Sports Medicine Physicians, 385 Occupational or Physical Therapists, and Athletic Trainers. 386

6.1.4 It is not uncommon for athletes to meet several classification categories in the 387 same sport due to multiple injuries/impairments; an example would be an 388 athlete with lower body, upper body, and visual impairments. This scenario is 389 specific to athletes who are identified/exhibit impairments associated with 390 polytrauma. An athlete identified as polytrauma will receive special 391 consideration during their classification validation process by the Warrior 392 Games Classification Committee to ensure they can safely and successfully 393 compete in a respective sport(s). 394

6.2.1 The Warrior Games Classification Committee (WGCC) is comprised of a 396 Classification Chair, Classification Chair Alternate, and supporting classifiers. 397 These individuals are formally trained or possess extensive experience in 398 Paralympic, Warrior Games, and/or other adaptive sports classification 399 systems. 400

6.2.2 The WGCC will be responsible for reviewing athlete sport classification 401 documents - provided by the Service Teams in paper form only - for appropriate 402 classification assignments prior to the start of competition. The Classification 403 Chair reserves the right to change an athlete’s sport classification at any time 404 during the execution of the Warrior Games. 405

6.2.3 Immediately upon arrival to the Warrior Games, any athlete whose sport 406 classification is unclear, will require re-evaluation by the WGCC prior to 407 attending any scheduled practice sessions. There is no exception or appeal for 408 this rule. 409

6.2.4 Due to the risk of COVID exposure, many athletes were virtually classified. For 410 2022, all athletes who went through this process will require re-evaluation by 411 the WGCC prior to attending any practice sessions. There is no exception or 412 appeal for this rule. 413

6.2.5 In the event an athlete’s sport classification is officially changed before 414

6 Athlete Classification

General Rules - 13 -competition (NLT the Sport Event Technical Meeting): 415

General Rules - 14 -

6.2.5.1 The athlete will be placed in the correct sport event by classification 416 category without penalty to that Service Team’s sport start rights. 417

6.2.5.2 Service Teams will be allowed to substitute an athlete into the open 418 sport competition start right(s) vacated by the reclassified athlete 419 under the following conditions: 420

• The substitution athlete must meet the substitution criteria 421 for that sport competition(s) IAW General Rule 5.2.8. 422

• A substitution can only be requested by a Service Team Lead 423 or their Sports Representative immediately upon notification of 424 the classification change. 425

• A substitution must not adversely affect that sport event’s Run of 426 Show and will be approved on a case-by-case basis by the Warrior 427 Games Sports Director. 428

6.2.6 In the event an athlete sport classification is officially changed during 429 competition due to a Classification Committee decision or Run of Show error: 430

6.2.6.1 The athlete’s performance will be entered and tabulated against the 431 results of the newly assigned event competition and/or classification 432 category without penalty to that Service Team’s sport start rights. 433

6.2.6.2 Service Teams will not be allowed to substitute a registered athlete 434 into the now open sport competition start rights vacated by the athlete 435 with the sport classification change. 436

6.2.7 Questions or concerns regarding an athlete’s sport classification must remain 437 confidential and shall only be discussed directly with the Warrior Games 438 Classification Committee. All participants shall refrain from open discussions 439 amongst athletes, coaches, team staff, or others not associated with the 440 Warrior Games Classification Committee until formal discussions and decisions 441 are made. 442

General Rules - 15 -

7.1 Transgender Competition Eligibility

7.2 Transgender Protest Protocol and Procedures

7.1.1 The following policies clarify the participation of transgender athletes 446 undergoing hormonal therapy when determining eligibility to compete in male 447 or female gender-specific competitions. 448

7.1.2 Female to Male (FTM) Transition 449

7.1.2.1 Those who transition from female to male (FTM) are eligible to 450 compete in the male category without restriction. 451

7.1.3 Male to Female (MTF) Transition 452

7.1.3.1 Those who transition from male to female (MTF) are eligible to 453 compete in the female category under the following conditions: 454

• The athlete has declared her gender identity as female. The 455 declaration cannot be changed (for sport competition purposes) 456 for the duration of the Warrior Games. 457

• Upon request, the athlete must demonstrate that her total 458 testosterone level in serum has been declared stable; defined as 459 “at or below 10 nmol/L” for at least 12 months prior to her first 460 competition. 461

7.1.3.2 Compliance with these conditions must be demonstrable within the 462 athlete’s medical records, through a certified letter from her treating 463 Endocrinologist, or Service Central Coordination Cell (SCCC; active-duty 464 athletes only). 465

7.1.3.3 MTF Transgender athletes who have undergone social transition only 466 (defined as involving social, cosmetic, and legal changes without 467 medical intervention) will compete in their gender assigned at birth. 468

7.1.4 Non-binary Identification 469

7.1.4.1 All active-duty athletes are assigned a binary gender; Veteran and 470

International athletes may identify as non-binary. For the purposes of 471 competition, these athletes will use binary designation as/if required 472 by sport. 473

7.2.1 Protest regarding participation of a transgender athlete in their declared 475 gender shall be made prior to the start of the sport technical meeting. 476

7.2.1.1 The athlete’s submitted medical documentation will be reviewed by 477 the Warrior Games Chief Medical Officer (CMO), the athlete’s team 478 physician, and a third team physician from a different service. The three 479 reviewing physicians will present a joint formal opinion and 480 recommendation to the Warrior Games Sports Director. 481

7 Transgender Athletes

General Rules - 16 -

8.1 DOD Service Team Names and Colors

8.2 DOD Service Team Apparel

8.3 International Service Team Names and Apparel

8.2.1 DOD Service Team athletes must wear the official sponsor apparel issued to 486 them by Warrior Games Operations for all sport competitions, ceremonies, and 487 related events unless an exception is cited in a specific sport or below. 488

8.2.1.1 As an exception to General Rule 8.2.1, DOD Service Team athletes may 489 wear apparel provided by their respective Service Teams in the event 490 the official sponsor apparel does not fit properly or is unavailable in 491 their size. This exception also applies to apparel that either restricts or 492 inhibits the athlete from competing to their full potential. DOD Service 493 Team athletes must still adhere to the standards assigned to their 494 Service Team uniform color scheme IAW General Rules Section 8.1. 495

8.2.1.2 As an exception to General Rule 8.2.1, DOD Service Team athletes may 496 wear competition apparel exclusive to a sport that is authorized for 497 wear IAW with the sport governing entity’s rules and regulations 498 provided it has not been restricted for wear IAW the sport event’s 499 Warrior Games Rules and Regulations. 500

8.2.1.3 As an exception to General Rule 8.2.1, DOD Service Team athletes may 501 wear their own personal footwear (relevant by sport) in the event the 502 official sponsor footwear does not fit properly, unavailable in their size, 503 or impacts prosthetic function. 504

8.2.1.4 As an exception to General Rule 8.2.1, DOD Service Team athletes may 505 wear additional clothing/other garments for religious reasons. 506

8.2.1.5 Due to official sponsor apparel licensing agreement and restrictions, all 507 other apparel brands and logos on unsponsored apparel must be 508 covered in a manner/mechanism set forth by Warrior Games 509 Operations. 510

8.2.2 The above cited rules do not to cover the full spectrum of scenarios in which an 511 exception should be allowed. Service Team Leads/AOs should contact the 512 Warrior Games Sports Director for other exceptions not identified in this 513 section. 514

8.3.1 International Service Teams use their home country as their team’s name. 516

8.3.2 Competition uniforms are not provided to International Service Teams. 517 International Team Leads are responsible for ensuring their athletes are 518 properly uniformed and meet the minimum standards for sport performance 519

8 Service Team Names, Colors, and Apparel

General Rules - 17 -and safety. 520

8.3.3 If a specific apparel item has been restricted from use in a sport; International 521 Teams must adhere to that restriction. 522

General Rules - 18 -

8.4.1 It is not uncommon for a Warrior Games athlete’s sports apparel to not fit 525 properly. A few examples are that it is too loose, too tight, or has been 526 damaged during a competitive event. Athletes should be aware of any situation 527 that could result in accidental exposure during competitive events. Should this 528 plausible situation arise, Service Team Leads, their Sports Representatives, or 529 even the athlete may approach the Warrior Games Sports Director for 530 guidance. The athlete’s respective start time, heat, or firing order will be 531 adjusted to allow them the appropriate time to prevent the situation. 532

8.4 Accidental Exposure

General Rules - 19 -

9.1 Medal Award System

9.2 Ultimate Champions

9.1.1 Medals are awarded to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place athletes for each individual sport 536 competitions. 537

9.1.2 Medals are awarded to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place teams in both relay 538 and team sports competitions. Every athlete on a team will receive a medal. 539

9.1.3 Athletes competing in events with only one or two athletes will receive medals. There is 540 no 541 “minus 1 rule” in effect at the DOD Warrior Games. 542

9.1.4 IAW General Rule 2.2.2, All athletes competing as part of a Multinational Team 543 placing in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place will receive a medal. 544

9.1.5 Athletes who have been substituted into a team sports event (Sitting 545 Volleyball, Wheelchair Basketball, and Wheelchair Rugby) do not receive a 546 medal unless they have been substituted into a medal winning game. The 547 athlete that was substituted out will not receive a medal. 548

9.1.6 The following VI Sport Assistants identified in General Rule 10.1.1 are 549 authorized or receive a medal with the athlete as they are an active part of the 550 official competitive processes: 551

9.1.6.1 VI Cycling Assistant (Tandem Pilot) 552

9.1.6.2 VI Track Assistant (Running Guide) 553

9.1.6.3 VI Archery Assistant (Sighting Support) 554

9.1.7 The following VI Sport Assistant identified in General Rule 10.1.1 in not 555 authorized to receive a medal with the athlete as they are not an active part of 556 the official competitive process: 557

9.1.7.1 VI Shooting(SH3) Competition Athlete Assistant – Not authorized to receive a medal. 558

9.1.7.2 2022 is the first year that the SH3/VI Shooting classification has been 559 official is offered. An exception to this restriction will be considered 560 upon completion of the Shooting Event. 561

9.2.1 Ultimate Champions will be awarded 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place medals following 563 final calculation of their collected points earned in each individual competition 564 IAW the Ultimate Champion Scoring System Metrics Table located in the 565 Ultimate Champion Rules; UC Rule 2.1.2. 566

9.2.2 When competing in any sport competition (individual and team), an Ultimate 567 Champion will also be awarded a medal(s) if they place 1st, 2nd, or 3rd amongst 568 every other athlete competing within the same sport/classification category. 569

9 Medal Presentations

General Rules - 20 -

10.1 Sport Assistant Authorization

10.1.1 Warrior Games athletes are authorized sport assistants; their roles, 573 responsibilities, permissions, and restrictions vary from sport to sport. In 574 addition to mobility and general support functions, specialized roles include 575 but are not limited to: 576

• VI Archery Competition Athlete Assistant 577

• VI Shooting (SH3) Competition Athlete Assistant 578

• VI Cycling Competition Athlete Assistant (Tandem Pilot) 579

• VI Track Competition Athlete Assistant (Running Guide) 580

10.1.2 The following personnel may serve as a sport assistant: 581

• Coaches and Assistant Coaches - with restrictions 582

• Adult family members and friends 583

• Non-Medical Attendants (NMA) and Primary Care Givers (PCG) - with restrictions 584

• Military personnel 585

• Federal employees 586

• Current or Former Warrior Games Service Team athletes 587

• Other contracted assets - with restrictions 588

10.1.3 Sport assistants must adhere to all restrictions identified in General Rule 3.5. In 589 the “Spirt of Fair Play,” persons who fall into any of the conditions identified in 590 said rule are ineligible to serve as sport assistants in the visually impaired 591 sports of Cycling and Track. 592

10.1.4 All sport assistants must be registered with the Warrior Games Sports Director 593 during the athlete registration process. 594

10.1.5 Former Warrior Games athletes selected to serve in an athlete competition 595 support role do not count against Service Team start rights and are exempt 596 from the maximum Warrior Games participation limit of five years IAW General 597 Rule 3.1.2. The former Warrior Games athlete’s role is exclusively limited to 598 the athlete’s competition support functions. 599

10.1.6 Not all Warrior Games athletes will be authorized a sport assistant. Sport Event 600 Managers will validate which athletes are permitted an assistant; this validation 601 is typically supported by but not limited to the athlete’s official sport 602 classification categories, competition requirements, and/or their daily use of a 603 wheelchair/assisted devices as a primary means of mobility and/or support. 604

10.1.7 Not every sport assistant identified within General Rule 10.1.2 will be allowed 605 into every venue’s field of play. Some sport events will have very confined 606 spaces; for safety reasons, the number of people that can be in the immediate 607 vicinity of an athlete will be limited. An athlete’s head coach and/or assistant 608 coaches will have priority in sport assistant support duties in those events. 609

10.1.8 Sport assistant field of play access will be managed by the Sport Event 610 Managers with oversight by the Warrior Games Sports Director. Athletes and 611 their sport assistants must be recognizable as partners. Individuals serving as 612 sport assistants will be identified in a manner/mechanism set forth by the 613 Sport Event Managers. 614

10 Sport Assistants

General Rules - 21 -

10.3 Volunteer Support

10.2.1 Unless authorized by the Sport Event Manager or dictated by sport-specific 617 rules, athletes are allowed only one person to serve as their assistant. 618

10.2.2 Sport assistants may be specialized and participate in the competitive 619 processes with the athlete and/or provide mobility assistance with the 620 athlete’s movement in, around, and out of the sport competition venue field of 621 play. 622

10.2.3 Once the athlete is in position and they are no longer actively engaged in their 623 general support functions, the Sport Event Manager may ask the sport 624 assistant to exit the competition venue field of play if they are in not in direct 625 support of the competitive processes as authorized by sport. 626

10.2.4 Unless authorized by sport-specific rules, a sport assistant is not permitted to 627 touch an athlete during the competitive processes unless there is imminent risk 628 of danger or safety concern. 629

10.2.5 Unless authorized by sport-specific rules, a sport assistant is not permitted to 630 help, converse with, or coach an athlete during the competitive processes; 631 however, cheering for and motivating an athlete is permitted. 632

10.2.6 Additional details relating to a sport assistant’s specific responsibilities, 633 permissions, and restrictions are located within each Sport Event’s Section 5.1 634 Rules as/if applicable. 635

10.2.7 A sport assistant must not be a disturbance to/interfere with other athletes. 636

10.2.8 Individuals identified as a sport assistant, but not actively performing their 637 sport functions, may be asked to leave the competition venue field of play. 638

10.2.9 Coaches, assistant coaches, and other contracted assets are not permitted to 639 serve as the sport assistant for the visually impaired events in Cycling and 640 Track. There is no exception to this rule. 641

10.2.10 Children under the age of 18 are not permitted to serve in any capacity as a 642 sport assistant unless they are also serving in the official role as a non-medical 643 attendant. Children who fall into this category are not permitted to serve as 644 the sport assistant for the visually impaired events in Cycling and Track. There 645 is no exception to this rule. 646

10.3.1 Volunteers may provide general support during a Warrior Games Sport Event. 648

10.3.2 Volunteer roles, responsibilities, permissions, and restrictions managed in a 649 manner/mechanism set forth by the Warrior Games Sports Director and/or 650 Sport Event Managers in concert with Contract-provided 651 management/services. 652

10.3.3 Volunteers are not permitted to serve in any capacity in a sport assistant role 653 identified in General Rule 10.1.1. There is no exception to this rule. 654

10.2 Sport Assistant General Roles, Responsibilities, Permissions, and Restrictions

General Rules - 22 -

11.1 Accessibility Requirements

11.2 Athletic Taping Authorizations and Restrictions

11.3 Additional Support Padding

11.1.1 Warrior Games Operations will accommodate all Service Team athletes, 658 coaches, and support staff IAW their collected accessibility requirements. 659 Service Team Leads/AOs are asked to ensure all special requirements be 660 identified during the athlete registration process. 661

11.2.1 Athletic taping is the process of applying tape directly to the skin to maintain a 663 stable position of bones and muscles during athletic activity. Athletic tape may 664 be applied to parts of an athlete’s body to reduce pain, aid in recovery from 665 overuse, and/or address a sports-related injury incurred during the Warrior 666 Games with the following provisions: 667

11.2.1.1 Powerlifting: Use of athletic tape and/or small medical/bandages must 668 be requested by the Service Team and approved by the Warrior Games 669 Chief Medical Officer (CMO) NLT the Powerlifting Event Technical 670 Meeting. 671

11.2.1.2 Shooting: Use of athletic tape must be requested by the Service Team 672 and approved by the Warrior Games CMO NLT the Shooting Event 673 Technical Meeting. 674

11.2.1.3 Swimming: Use of athletic tape and/or small medical bandages must 675 be requested by the Service Team and approved by the Warrior CMO 676 NLT the Swimming Event Technical Meeting. 677

11.2.2 Athletes are not authorized to apply athletic tape to parts of their body and/or 678 their competition- related equipment in a manner/mechanism that will provide 679 an unfair advantage during any sport event competition. 680

11.2.3 Any use of athletic tape that is not IAW General Rules Section 11.2, or 681 additional restrictions defined within every Sport Event’s Section 5.1 Rules may 682 result in the athlete’s disqualification in that sport event. 683

11.3.1 If an athlete is unable to maintain the required sitting position due to an 685 anatomical impairment, a “Spirit of the Games” exception may be requested by 686 an athlete, their Service Team, or Sport Head Coach. The exception allows an 687 athlete to use additional support padding as determined by their classification 688 and/or impairment. 689

11.3.2 The Sport Event Manager, Warrior Games Sports Director, and Warrior Games 690 CMO will validate the athlete’s limitation(s); this validation will be based upon 691 both the athlete’s official sport classification as well as any challenges 692 witnessed during practice. Application of this “Spirit of the Games” exception 693 will be approved on a case-by-case basis. A request for use of additional 694 support padding must be approved by the Warrior Games CMO NLT the Sport 695 Event Technical Meeting. Upon approval, additional support padding such as 696 but not limited to additional foam, towels, strapping, and/or pillows may be 697 added to ensure the athlete’s safety, support, and stability requirements 698 during the Sport Event without providing an unfair advantage. 699

11.3.3 The use of additional support padding without approval, or in a 700

11 Medical Considerations

General Rules - 23 -manner/mechanism that is not IAW General Rules Section 11.3 may result in 701 the athlete’s disqualification. 702

General Rules - 24 -

11.4.1 Ostomies may be for bowel (large or small) and/or bladder (urine); athletes are 705 authorized to compete with an ostomy bag and rash guard. 706

11.4.2 It is mandatory for all athletes who use ostomy devices to prevent spillage 707 by ensuring said medical devices are securely fastened at all times. 708

11.4.3 Similar torso coverings are authorized for medical reasons and must not 709 provide flotation or competitive advantage in event competitions such as 710 Swimming. 711

11.4.4 The Sport Event Manager will be made aware of all ostomy devices in use within the field of 712 play. 713

11.4 Ostomies

General Rules - 25 -

12.1 Service Team Action Officer and/or Head Coach

12.2 Competition Questions and Concerns

12.3 Protest Credits

12.4 Protest Procedures

Warrior Games Official Sport Protest Form 716

12.1.1 Each Service Team will designate an Action Officer (AO) and/or Service Team Head Coach (SHC). 718

12.1.2 These designees are the only authorized personnel permitted to submit a protest. 719

12.2.1 During the Warrior Games, if there is a question or concern about sport rules 721 during competition, (i.e., start, finish, conduct of play, Officials’ calls, etc.), the 722 AO or SHC may approach the Head Official and/or Sport Event Manager to 723 discuss without the need to submit an official written protest. 724

12.2.2 The Head Official and/or Sport Event Manager may choose to confer with 725 anyone affiliated with that sport event to come to a resolution. 726

12.2.3 Should a question or concern not be resolved to the satisfaction of the AO or 727 SHC, the AO or SHC may submit an official written protest to the Sport Event 728 Manager of that sport. 729

12.2.4 Service Teams are reminded that it would not be in the “Spirit of the Games” 730 or good sportsmanship to make frivolous protests. 731

12.3.1 Each Service Team will be allowed 10 protest credits to use throughout the 733 duration of the Warrior Games. There are no restrictions on how many 734 protests a Service Team may use per sport/event while protest credits exist. 735 Should a Service Team exhaust their allotment of protest credits, they cannot 736 use another Service Team’s protest credits on their behalf. Protest credits once 737 used, will be subtracted from the Service Team’s allotment whether the protest 738 was upheld or declined. 739

12.3.2 Athlete classification protests are not allowed during sport execution time 740 frames. Each sport technical meeting will be the last time to protest athlete 741 classifications. After a Sport Event Technical Meeting adjourns, all athlete 742 classifications as related to that sport are final. 743

12.3.3 Use of protest credits are not required to protest athlete classifications at Sport 744 Event Technical Meetings; consumption of protest credits only occurs during 745 the sport competitions. 746

12.4.1 In the event a sport question or concern is not resolved by the Sport Head 748 Official and/or Sport Event Manager, an official written protest may be 749 submitted by the Service Team Leads or their appointed representatives. Sport 750 protests must be submitted to the Sport Event Manager no later than one hour 751 after official announcement of results of the sport competition event (i.e., 752 heat, flight, race, game, etc.) in question. 753

12.4.2 Upon notification of a sport protest, the Sports Event Manager will inform the 754 associated AOs and SHCs through a group communications platform and/or on-755 site public address system to convene a meeting and discuss the protest. 756

12 Athlete Sport Classification and Competition Protest Procedures

General Rules - 26 -

Should the Sport Event Manager be too heavily engaged with event execution, 757 the Warrior Games Sports Director may assist with the process. 758

General Rules - 27 -

12.4.3 The Sport Event Manager will submit the Warrior Games Sport Protest Form to 759 the Warrior Games Sports Director no later than 30 minutes of receipt from AO 760 or SHC unless the process has been adjusted as described in the above rule. 761

12.4.4 No later than one hour from conclusion of sport competition event in question, 762 the sport protest will be reviewed by a Protest Decision Committee consisting 763 of the Warrior Games Sports Director, the Sport Event Manager of that event, 764 and Classification Chair/Classification Chair Alternate. 765

12.4.5 The sport protest decision will be communicated immediately to the protesting 766 AO or SHC following conclusion of review. 767

12.4.6 Videotape review may be used as a means to settle a protest at the Protest 768 Decision Committee’s discretion. 769

12.4.7 In the event of a sport protest, all competition(s) and/or medal ceremonies will 770 continue uninterrupted as scheduled. 771

12.4.8 If/when necessary, official sport event results and awards will be corrected. 772

General Rules - 28 -

13.1 Service Animal General Rules

13.2 Service Animal Restrictions

13.1.1 The following rules clarify the accompaniment of service animals with athletes 776 and staff participating in the Warrior Games. 777

13.1.2 A service animal is defined as a dog that has completed individual training to do 778 work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The task(s) performed 779 by the dog must be directly related to the person’s disability. 780

13.1.3 Service animals are authorized at Warrior Games events under the following conditions: 781

13.1.3.1 Complete a Service Animal Travel Application Form and submit to the 782

Warrior Games Chief Medical Officer (CMO) through Warrior Games 783 Operations. This form will be distributed by Warrior Games Operations 784 following the athlete initial registration deadline. 785

13.1.3.2 Upon request, the service animal's vaccination records must be presented. 786

13.1.3.3 Service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered while in public 787 places, unless these devices interfere with the service animal’s work or 788 the person’s disability prevents use of these devices. In that case, the 789 person must use voice, signal, or other effective means to maintain 790 control of the animal. 791

13.2.1 If the service animal exhibits unacceptable behavior, the handler and the 793 service animal may be asked to withdraw from participation. The ADA 794 considers unacceptable behavior as but not limited to uncontrolled barking, 795 jumping on other people, or running away from the handler. 796

13.2.2 Service animals are allowed in all athlete areas except for active fields of play. 797

13 Service Animals

General Rules - 29 -

14.1 Alcoholic Beverages

14.2 Firearms

14.3 Knives

14.4 Noisemakers

14.1.1 Alcoholic beverages may be offered or available for purchase at certain 801 Warrior Games events/locations. 802

14.1.2 Service Team Leads are responsible for proving guidance to their athletes and 803 staff at locations that offer alcoholic beverages. 804

14.1.3 Alcoholic beverages are PROHIBITED in all Field of Play areas at the 805 Warrior Games Sport Competition Events. 806

14.2.1 All firearms are PROHIBITED at the Warrior Games to include but not limited to 808 competitions, training venues, and ceremonies. 809

14.2.2 Service Teams are responsible for providing guidance to their athletes and staff 810 at locations they may have oversight. 811

14.3.1 All knives of a tactical purpose and appearance are PROHIBITED at the Warrior Games. 813

14.3.2 Examples include but are not limited to automatics/out-the-front (OTF), 814 switchblades, combat knives, tactical/personal defense fixed and folding blade 815 knives. 816

14.3.3 Simple pocketknives and/or utility devices such as Gerber and Leatherman multi-817 tools are allowed at the Warrior Games due to their use in on-site sports 818 equipment…