Posted: January 17, 2005

Athletics: New incentive program adds luster to Visa Championship Series

Monday, January 17, 2005

NEW YORK - During USA Track & Field's 2005 Indoor Visa Championship Series, American athletes will compete not only for more than $1 million in prize and support money, they will also be racing toward a combined $50,000 jackpot and other prizes for the Visa Championship.

The male and female athlete with the top overall performance in the 2005 Visa Championship Series will be named Visa Champion and receive a $25,000 bonus. In addition, each Visa Champion will be awarded an invitation of their choice to a premiere Visa-sponsored event, including the Super Bowl, NFL Pro Bowl, Daytona 500, Kentucky Derby, Tony Awards or Pebble Beach weekend.

"Visa is very proud to be an integral part of the Olympic journey USA Track & Field athletes will follow on their path to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games," said Michael Lynch, senior vice president, event and sponsorship marketing, Visa USA. "The Visa Championship Series gives indoor track & field athletes a chance to compete in front of friends and family for a share of the $50,000 bonus pool, as well as an opportunity for our Member banks to build their business."

Crowning the Visa Champion

The top American male finisher and top American female finisher in each event of the Visa Championship Series, including the USA Indoor Track & Field Championships, will have their performances assigned a point total based on the IAAF Scoring Tables of Athletics. The athlete whose performance has the highest point total at the end of the Visa Championship Series will be named the Visa Champion.

Although the top performance can come at any of the Visa Championship Series meets, an athlete must compete at the USA Indoor Championships in order to be named Visa Champion. Athletes competing on the high school or college level are not eligible.

Ties will be broken by determining which tied athlete had the best mark at the USA Indoor Track & Field Championships, based on the IAAF Scoring Tables of Athletics. If a tie still exists, it will be broken by a coin toss. For more information on the 2005 Visa Championship Series, visit USATF.org.

Source: USATF.org.