(Colorado Springs, Colo.) – The following COVID-19 protocols will be in place for the Junior Olympics held February 18-21, 2022, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
General Statement
By observing or participating in any USA Fencing national tournaments, you are acknowledging that attendance is voluntary and assume all risks associated with your participation and/or attendance. We would also like to remind participants and spectators of their duty to self-monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, and shortness of breath) and to stay home if you are not feeling healthy or test positive for COVID-19 within 10 days of the start of the tournament. If an official, athlete, coach or spectator develops possible symptoms for COVID-19 after your arrival to Salt Lake City, you are not to go to the competition venue under any circumstances. Symptomatic persons should obtain a negative COVID-19 test result prior to returning to the competition venue. Any athletes, coaches, officials or spectators that are showing apparent symptoms while inside the exhibit halls will be asked to leave the Salt Lake City Convention Center immediately. While vaccinated attendees are not required to provide a negative PCR or antigen test result, out of an abundance of caution, USA Fencing would also like to encourage all attendees to take an antigen or PCR test prior to traveling.
Mask Mandate
As announced at the beginning of the season, all participants in USA Fencing sanctioned events, including coaches, athletes, spectators, and staff, MUST wear a facemask that covers their mouth and nose at all times, including competition.
Proof of Vaccination
Individuals who have completed a COVID vaccine series (Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca, Novavak, Sinovac, Sinopharm, Covaxin, or CoronaVac) 14 days prior to arrival at the venue will NOT need to obtain a negative PCR or antigen test result.
For participating athletes, all fencers must have uploaded their vaccination cards onto their membership profile for approval from the national office. Please reach out to nationalevents@usafencing.org if your vaccination verification is still pending or if you have any questions on why your vaccination entry was denied.
Spectators can either submit their vaccination card onto their own membership profile or upload proof of vaccination by clicking HERE. If uploaded in their profile, spectators may scan their membership ID at registration. If through the alternative link, spectators will provide the official USA Fencing approved email. All vaccinated spectators who are interested in attending must provide proof of vaccination through one of the above means OR a copy of your vaccine card with valid photo ID.
COVID-19 Testing for Medical or Religious Exempt Individuals
All attendees of the tournament who have been approved for a medical or religious exemption must provide their approval email received from the National Office, as well as a negative COVID test result, to enter the venue. This includes athletes and staff, as well as all coaches and spectators. PCR test results must be within 72 hours prior to arrival at the venue. For more information, click here. Proof of your negative COVID-19 test result and exemption must be presented to a USA Fencing staff member at registration for verification.
Social Distancing
Everyone should always practice social distancing measures while in the venue.
Handshakes
Athletes are to salute at the conclusion of a bout in lieu of shaking hands with each other, the referee, or coaches.
Awards
Athletes who finish in the top eight will receive a medal for individual events. Athletes who win a medal can pick up their medals at the awards area. Award ceremonies will take place within twenty minutes following the conclusion of an event. Group photos in front of the backdrop will be permitted. Athletes and coaches should practice social distancing whenever possible and must wear masks.
Bout Committee
No more than one fencer will be permitted at the table at which each Bout Committee official is stationed. All other fencers for that event should wait behind the line until called by the officials’ member to come forward. Athletes should ensure six feet between themselves and any others waiting in line.
