2009 Direct Athlete Support Clarification & Athlete Performance Pool Funding-  Please be advised of the following changes to the 2009 Direct Athlete Support and the Athlete Performance Pool Funding listed below.  The athlete stipend will be based on the following:

July-December 2009 Stipend Payment

• The USOC will pay the top 5 males and the top 4 females on the World Championships ranking list which is based off of the 2009 World Championship qualifying total from their results at the 2009 National Championships. Athletes no longer have to exceed 95% of the World Championship qualifying total. Athletes will receive $500/mo.
• In addition, the top male and the top female athlete who achieve 100% or greater of the 2009 World Championship qualifying total, will receive an additional $1500/mo.

Athlete Performance Pool Funding

It is anticipated that funding will awarded to the Pan Am Championship team members that achieve Personal Records, provided that a total is attained.  There will be more information to follow prior to the 2009 Pan Am Championship event. 

ELITE ATHLETE HEALTH INSURANCE

Coverage will begin June 10, 2009 and will be granted to six men and four women (limited to two per weight class per the rules of weightlifting) according to the below in priority order:

EAHI will be offered to the top five men and the top three women in rank order according to who lifts the highest percentage of the 2009 World Team Qualifying total at the 2009 National Championships.

If necessary, EAHI will then be offered to the top male and the top female athlete currently receiving EAHI and who achieved 95% or greater of the 2008 Olympic Games qualifying total at the 2008 Olympic Trials (primary qualifier-May 16-17, 2008), the 2008 National Championships (secondary qualifier-February 29-March 2, 2008), or the 2008 Pan Am Championships (secondary qualifier-March 17-22, 2008) but who was unable to compete or complete the 2009 National Championships (Chicago, IL- June 4-7, 2009) due to an injury or illness incurred prior to, or while at the National Championships.  If more than one male or more than one female was injured and unable to compete or complete the 2009 National Championships but achieved 95% or greater of the 2008 Olympic Games qualifying total, the slot would be offered to the athlete within gender who achieved the highest percentage of the total.  Athletes unable to compete due to injury or illness will be required to provide medical documentation.