By Coach Joey Paladino 3P Weightlifting
Hello everyone! My name is Joey Paladino, Head Coach for 3P Weightlifting and the Owner of SRCFit and 3P Fitness. I’ve been a certified coach with USA Weightlifting (USAW) for twelve years and recently stepped into high school weightlifting coaching here in Florida. Today, I want to share some lessons from my experience helping two athletes earn a spot on Team USA for the Youth Pan American team. For seasoned coaches, some of this might sound familiar, but if you’re new to the international scene, I hope this guide provides some valuable insights.
Step 1: So, You Think You Have a Shot?
Before you start dreaming of a place on Team USA, you need to gauge your athlete’s potential. Let’s take one of my athletes, Bryson, as an example. Competing as a 61 kg youth lifter, Bryson had demonstrated consistent numbers, so we decided he’d have a shot at qualifying for a national event. For us, that was the USAW 2023 Nationals Week.
To determine if your athlete has the numbers to qualify, head to the USAW high-performance standards for the latest benchmarks. Here, you’ll find A and B standards for each weight class, based on recent performances at youth world championships. Meeting or surpassing these standards can indicate if your athlete is on track to bring home a medal.
In Bryson’s case, he achieved a 218 kg total at a local meet, slightly above the B standard for his weight class (215 kg). But before you get too excited, there are several critical steps to follow to ensure eligibility.
Step 2: You Have the Total, Now What?
After hitting the target total at a local meet, it’s time to set your sights on a national-level event with certified USAW referees. But first, take care of the essential but often overlooked paperwork. In years past, the National Coach handled all these details through the Olympic Training Center (OTC). Now, with the OTC’s closure, the administrative responsibilities fall on coaches and athletes.
Key Action Items:
- Submit the International Interest Form – Fill this out immediately after qualifying. You can find it here.
- Create an Athlete Connect Profile & Complete the USADA “Whereabouts” Form – Register on USADA’s website and file the whereabouts form at least three months before the competition. Missing this step can lead to ineligibility.
Additionally, if your athlete has reached a junior team level, they might need to compete in specific events, such as the American Open Finals (AOF), in “Super Sessions” with a jury of appeals present.
Step 3: You Made Team USA—Now What?
Congratulations on making it to the top 10! Now comes the final administrative hurdle. USAW will contact your athlete (not you as the coach) to request proof of forms and updated whereabouts.
Important: This process includes completing a second whereabouts form specific to the international event this is the ITA whereabouts google doc. Even a minor error on this form, such as a date mistake, can prevent your athlete from competing. Ensure that both you and the athlete’s parents review every submission carefully. If a mistake is discovered, a 14-day appeal period can sometimes correct it, but this process is entirely at USAW’s discretion.
Step 4: Fundraising and Final Preparations
Once USAW confirms your athlete’s eligibility, it’s time to prepare financially. We successfully used GoFundMe and secured some sponsors to cover our trip. If you’re in Florida, state funding might even cover your athlete’s trip and gear costs.
Step 5: The Journey to Pan Ams
Preparing for the trip itself is a critical final step. Get to know the competition location and conditions, especially if they differ from your training environment. For instance, Pan Ams were held in an open-air facility with high humidity, so our team trained in similar conditions.
Before departing, there’s usually a pre-trip Zoom call to address any final details or questions. Make sure your athletes are physically and mentally prepared—they’ll gain invaluable life experiences and likely make lasting friendships.
Final Thoughts
Coaching on the international level is as much about navigating paperwork and eligibility requirements as it is about the sport. Small administrative mistakes can cost athletes the chance to compete, so I hope sharing these lessons will help other coaches avoid the same pitfalls. Thank you for reading, and best of luck to you and your athletes on this journey!
As always my number one core value is help first feel free to reach out to me anytime! Until then stay strong. Coach Joey
