Elite athlete support - Badminton (OLY)
This page outlines the resources and criteria for Badminton (OLY) athletes. Which includes the following:
- Elite Athletes Health Insurance (EAHI)
- Badminton Elite Athlete Criteria and Resources
- USA Badminton (USAB) Performance Bonus
Elite Athletes Health Insurance (EAHI)
The EAHI criteria are developed by USOPC and USAB for the calendar year (USOPC has the final approval). Athletes who are removed (by choice or agreement expiration) have the option to remain on the insurance program at their own cost for up to one year.
Should an athlete decline their slot, that slot will remain unused. If you are looking for information on EAHI or have questions about EAHI, please contact Esther.Lin@usabadminton.org.
Badminton Elite Athlete Criteria and Resources
Qualifying Prerequisites
To receive any or all benefits available through the programs below, an athlete must meet the following qualifying prerequisites. The athlete concerned must:
- be a current USAB member in good standing (active USAB membership for all athletes, current SafeSport training for all athletes, and NCSI background check for over 18 athletes)
- be in good standing with WADA, USADA, BWF and USAB with regard to anti-doping
- must complete and submit the application for the USAB International Athlete Program (IAP) when application is opened
- must report to USAB any injury that prevents the athlete from competing in BWF sanctioned tournaments
- must be currently & actively training and competing in BWF sanctioned tournaments, unless the athlete has been excused in writing from USAB
- must be U.S. citizen in good standing or a Permanent Resident with the intention of obtaining U.S. citizenship before the next Olympic Games
- must submit a quadrennial training plan (in preparation for the LA28 Olympic Games) to USAB national office for review and approval by USAB, with the intent of competing in the LA28 Olympic Games
Note**
- Athletes will be subject to removal from the USAB Elite Athlete Program if the approved tournament plan is not adhered to.
- Changes to the tournament plans must be communicated to and approved by the National Office in advance.
- Athletes need to update their tournament plans annually.
Results achieved during the LA28 quadrennial are eligible to be used as qualification criteria outlined below for Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 elite athletes. Once an athlete qualifies for a tier, they will retain their qualified tier for the calendar year and the following year (assuming they continue to train for the Games), but they must re-qualify in that following year to keep their tier status. For example, if you earn Tier 1 status in 2025, you will carry that status into 2026, but your results in 2026 will determine your tier status for 2027.
USAB Elite Athlete status will be reviewed on an annual basis.
Tier Criteria and Resources
Tier 1 Resources
Athletes who meet the Tier 1 criteria below will be eligible for the following USOPC and/or USAB resources:
- Direct Athlete Support (DAS)*
- Olympic Training Center (OTC) Access*
- OTC Recovery Center *
- Sports Science Service Provision*
- Sports Medicine Service Provision*
- National Medical Network (NMN)*
- Fee waived for the USAB International Athlete Program (USAB IAP)
- Request USAB Athlete Travel Expense Support when available
*subject to USOPC approval
Tier 1 Criteria
Athletes will be eligible for Tier 1 benefits through any two (2) results from the below:
- Top 10 BWF World Ranking
- Top 4 finish in BWF Tour Super 1000
- Top 4 finish in BWF Tour Super 750
- Top 4 finish in BWF Tour Super 500
- Top 4 finish in BWF Tour Super 300
- Beat a top 4 World Ranked player/pair
Athletes will be eligible for Tier 1 benefits through any three (3) results from below:
- Top 15 BWF World Ranking
- Top 8 finish in BWF Tour Super 1000
- Top 8 finish in BWF Tour Super 750
- Top 8 finish in BWF Tour Super 500
- Top 8 finish in BWF Tour Super 300
- Beat a top 8 World Ranked player/pair
Tier 2 Resources
Athletes who meet the Tier 2 criteria below will be eligible for the following USOPC and/or USAB resources:
- Direct Athlete Support (DAS)* – Tier 1 athletes will have priority, if there are more Tier 2 athletes than give DAS spots, a higher ranked player/pair will receive the DAS
- Olympic Training Center Facility-Use Access (OTC)*
- Sports Science Service Provision*
- Sports Medicine Service Provision*
- Fee waived for the USAB International Athlete Program (USAB IAP)
- Request USAB Athlete Travel Expense Support when available
*subject to USOPC approval
Tier 2 Criteria
Athletes can be considered for Tier 2 benefits through any two (2) results from the below:
- Top 20 BWF World Ranking (does not need secondary qualification standard)
- Top 8 finish in BWF Tour Super 1000
- Top 8 finish in BWF Tour Super 750
- Top 8 finish in BWF Tour Super 500
- Top 8 finish in BWF Tour Super 300
- Beat a top 8 World Ranked player/pair
Athletes can be considered for Tier 2 benefits through any three (3) results from below:
- Top 16 finish in BWF Tour Super 1000
- Top 16 finish in BWF Tour Super 750
- Top 16 finish in BWF Tour Super 500
- Top 16 finish in BWF Tour Super 300
- Beat a top 15 World Ranked player/pair
Tier 3 Resources
Athletes who meet the Tier 3 criteria below will be eligible for the following USOPC and/or USAB resources:
- Fee waived for the USAB International Athlete Program
- Request USAB Athlete Travel Expense Support when available
Tier 3 Criteria
Athletes can be considered for Tier 3 benefits through any two (2) results from below:
- Top 30 BWF World Ranking
- Top 16 finish in BWF Tour Super 1000
- Top 16 finish in BWF Tour Super 750
- Top 16 finish in BWF Tour Super 500
- Top 16 finish in BWF Tour Super 300
- Top 8 finish in BWF Tour Super 100
- Winner at an International Challenge/International Series
- Beat a top 30 World Ranked player/pair
Please contact Esther.Lin@usabadminton.org to update your USAB Elite Athlete status or if you have any questions.
USA Badminton (USAB) Performance Bonus (per player/pair)
Athletes must meet the Qualifying Prerequisites in the Elite Athlete Criteria to be eligible to receive the USAB Performance Bonus.
As of now, we are not giving out performance bonuses for BWF sanctioned Team Championships and junior tournaments (adult and individual tournament only). However, USAB is working on allocating funds for these tournaments in the future.
Please contact Esther.Lin@usabadminton.org for details.