Sanctioning & Labelling
Sanctioning & Labeling
Sanctioning
The purpose of sanctioning is to communicate to race participants, event partners and the general public that a designated event is being conducted in a fair, safe and responsible manner, in accordance with the rules and standards of the sport based on the nature of event being offered and where the event is registered as a competitive event, results achieved will be recognized by other national governing bodies for the sport and World Athletics.
When a member branch of Athletics Canada issues a sanction and an organizer accepts a sanction, it is understood that:
- The event organizer will abide by all rules and regulations implicitly or explicitly referenced within the description of the sanction they are receiving;
- The sanctioning body will advertise the event on its calendar of events and provide support to organisers consistent as specified by the sanction;
- The event organiser will advertise the event as a sanctioned event in accordance with the guidelines described within the sanction;
IMPORTANT: Course certification and sanctioning are different. Course certification specifically references the distance and change in elevation of a course while sanctioning referrers to the standards and rules which will be upheld during an event. Sanctions must be renewed annually.
For sanctioning information in your province/territory, contact your local branch.
BC Athletics – Email contact: Kevin O’Connor
Athletics Alberta – Email contact: Nick Stoffberg
Saskatchewan Athletics – Email contact: Bob Reindl
Athletics Manitoba – Email contact: Alanna Boudreau
Athletics Ontario – Email contact: Sheryl Preston
Athlétisme Québec – Email contact: Marilou Fernand-Daigle
Athletics New Brunswick – Email contact: Julia Loparco
Athletics Nova Scotia – Email contact: Anitra Stevens
Athletics PEI – Email contact: Marc Gillman
Athletics Newfoundland – Email contact: George Stanoev
Yukon Athletics – Email contact: Yukon Athletics
NWT Athletics – Email contact: Spider Jones
What is a WPA Sanctioned meet?
A World Para Athletics (WPA) sanctioned meet is an approved competition which is conducted in full compliance with the applicable and relevant World Para Athletics Rules and Regulations and which has submitted an application, through or endorsed by its Member Federation (e.g. Athletics Canada), to World Para Athletics. These approved competitions ensure that the WPA Rules and Regulations are followed.
A WPA sanctioned competition is required for Para Athletes who are internationally classified and hold a valid WPA License to ensure their performance results are recognized and listed within the WPA world ranking lists. Unlike Olympic stream athletes who compete to improve World Athletics World Ranking, Para-athletes qualify for Athletics Canada’s Canadian Athletics Performance Pathway (CAPP) and major championships such as WPA World Championship, Para Pan American Games, and Paralympic Games through the World Para Athletics Rankings. Having access to WPA sanctioned meets that are meaningful (with other Para Athletes and a range of events) becomes vital to their progress along the Para Athletics pathway.
WPA Sanctioning Cost
Athletics Canada purchases licenses from World Para Athletics every year and they are made available to Branches and Clubs to apply for at no cost.
Process of Applying
In December of each year, Athletics Canada requests its member Branches and Clubs identify which competitions are applying for a WPA Sanctioning. Questions and requests can be sent to para@athletics.ca.
Download the WPA sanctioning application template here.
Hosting a Para Ready Meet
Meet Directors can ensure their meet is “Para Ready” by referring to the Becoming Para Ready for Meet Directors Resource.
For additional questions regarding Para Athletics integration, rules and regulations and WPA Sanctioning process, please email para@athletics.ca
Labeling
The “World Athletics Label Road Races” program gathers the world’s leading road races. A World Athletics Label denotes a full application of the Competition and Technical Rules in, at a minimum, the elite component of the competition. Labels also denote superior standards in event organisation, safety and runner experience, support from public authorities to the event and a financial commitment to anti-doping. For all rules and regulations pertaining to the 2024 World Athletics Label Road Race Program, please see the documentation below.
Key Dates
- Applications Close: TDB
If you have any questions, please contact:
Chris Winter
Athletics Canada
Director, Domestic Programs and Safe Sport
Telephone: (236) 330-5289
Email: Chris.Winter@athletics.ca
Athletics Canada is now inviting interested parties to complete the 2024 Athletics Canada Road Race Label Program Application form, which can be found here. For details pertaining to 2024 Athletics Road Race Label Program, please click the Program & Series image below:
ATHLETICS CANADA ROAD RACE LABEL PROGRAM & SERIES OVERVIEW
ATHLETICS CANADA ROAD RACE LABEL REGULATIONS
Key Dates
- Applications Open: August 2023
- Applications Close: September 30th, 2023
- 2024 National Road Race Series Announcement: October 2023
If you have any questions, please contact:
Chris Winter
Athletics Canada
Director, Domestic Programs and Safe Sport
Telephone : (236) 330-5289
Email : Chris.Winter@athletics.ca