I pledge to uphold the American Canoe Association’s (ACA) Code of Conduct (the “Code”) and this Athlete Addendum to the Code which offers a guide to my conduct as a paddlesport athlete competing domestically and internationally, whether or not I am a member of a USA National Team (the “Team”). I acknowledge that I have a right to a hearing if my opportunity to compete is denied or if I am charged with a violation of this Code.

I have familiarized myself with the Code and understand that acceptance of its provisions is a condition of competing domestically, at the national and international levels, and in my selection to any National Team.

As a paddlesport athlete or ACA Competition Member, or if selected as a member of any USA National Team, I hereby promise and agree that I:

will abide by all published rules related to the Team selection procedures as approved by ACA;

have acted and will act in a sportsmanlike manner consistent with the spirit of fair play and responsible conduct;

will maintain a level of fitness and competitive readiness that will permit my performance to be at the maximum of my abilities;

understand and agree that the International Canoe Federation Anti-Doping Rules and U.S. Anti-Doping Agency Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing (USADA Protocol) and all other policies and rules adopted by the International Canoe Federation, USADA, and the USOPC apply to me and that it is my responsibility to comply with those rules. I agree to submit to drug testing at any time and understand that the use of methods or substances prohibited by the applicable anti-doping rules would make me subject to penalties including, but not limited to, disqualification and suspension. If it is determined that I may have committed a doping violation, I agree to submit to the results management authority and processes of USADA, including arbitration under the USADA Protocol, or to the results management authority of the International Canoe Federation and/or my national federation, if applicable or referred by USADA.

will not commit a doping violation as defined by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC), or the International Canoe Federation (ICF) rules;

am not currently serving a doping violation and/or do not have a pending or unresolved doping charge;

will not engage in any conduct that is criminal under any laws applicable to me, including, but not limited to laws governing the possession and use of drugs and alcohol and providing of drugs to any person and of alcohol to minors;

will not participate or assist in any gambling or betting activities associated with any event related to my sport or my participation;

am eligible to compete under the rules of the International Canoe Federation (if competing in an ICF event);

should I be chosen for an international team that requires a passport, I am in possession of a valid USA passport that will not expire before six months following the conclusion of the international competition;

will refrain from conduct detracting from my ability or that of my teammates to attain peak performance;

will respect the property of others, whether personal or public;

will respect members of my Team, other teams, spectators, and officials, and engage in no form of discriminatory behavior or verbal, physical, or sexual harassment or abuse;

will successfully complete all U.S. Center for SafeSport modules (for athletes 18+);

will report abuse, or suspected abuse, according to the policies and guidelines of the U.S. Center for SafeSport;

will follow my Team’s written rules, including by way of example, written rules regarding curfew required attendance at team meetings, and prohibitions on the release of confidential team information;

am aware that ACA sponsors, suppliers, and licensees provide critical support for the Team and, in recognition of this fact, I will wear designated ACA apparel at all official Team functions and events;

will not conceal or cover-up any ACA sponsor, supplier or licensee brand or other identification appearing on my ACA apparel;

will abide by the rules of the International Canoe Federation concerning allowable trademark identification on clothing and equipment worn or used in competition or on visible body tattoos;

agree to be filmed and photographed by the official photographer(s) and network(s) of ACA under conditions authorized by ACA and give event organizers and ACA the right to use my name, picture, likeness, and biographical information before, during, and after the period of my participation in these activities to promote the activity in which I participate or to promote the success of the team on which I compete; in no event may ACA or the event organizers use or authorize the use of my name, picture, likeness, voice and biographical information for the purpose of trade, including any use in a manner that would imply an endorsement of any company, product, or service, without my written permission;

will not use or authorize the use of photographs, films, or videos of myself in my ACA apparel or equipment or the use of the ACA logo for the purpose of trade, without the prior written consent of the ACA;

understand that if I require legal representation because I am accused of a doping violation or am accused of criminal misconduct, or if for any other reasons I require the services of an attorney, I will be personally responsible for payment of such legal fees and expenses;

will maintain a respectful posture during the playing of the National Anthem of the United States;

will not post or promote inappropriate, offensive, or illegal behaviors in online communities (social media) to include, but not be limited to: photos, videos, or comments showing the personal use of alcohol, drugs, and tobacco; photos, videos, or comments that are of a sexual or pornographic nature; photos, videos or comments that condone drug-related activity; content online that is unsportsmanlike, derogatory, demeaning, threatening or violent toward any other individual or entity; or derogatory comments against race, religion or gender.

will be familiar with the information posted at www.americancanoe.org/AthleteCodeofConduct;

will register my whereabouts with the U.S. State Department Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) while traveling for international events at https://step.state.gov/step/;

will comply with all ACA and USOPC rules, requirements, and policies in place at an Olympic or Paralympic Trials, including any medical, commercial activity, and demonstration restrictions.

will act in a way that will bring respect and honor to me, my teammates, the ACA and the United States; and

will remember that at all times, I am an ambassador for my sport, my country, and the Olympic and Paralympic Movements.

If I require further information regarding my rights under the Code that are not answered by the ACA, I may contact the USOPC Athlete Ombudsman Office (https://www.teamusa.org/athlete-ombuds) via phone at 719-816-5000 or 719-866-2299, or email at ombudsman@usathlete.org.

I have read and accepted this Code of Conduct. I agree to the rules, guidelines, jurisdiction, and procedures stated in these documents as a condition of competing domestically, nationally, or internationally.

(Participants age 18 or older choose NO with Parent/Guardian Signature Authorization button)