Title 36 — Patriotic and National ObservancesRelease 119-73not60

§220526 Restricted Amateur Athletic Competitions

Title 36 › Subtitle Subtitle II— Patriotic and National Organizations › Part B— Organizations › Chapter 2205— UNITED STATES OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC COMMITTEE › Subchapter II— NATIONAL GOVERNING BODIES › § 220526

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

A sports group that runs competitions limited to a certain group of amateurs — like high schoolers, college students, or members of the Armed Forces — has the sole authority over that event. If that group wants to hold an international amateur event in the United States or sponsor one outside the United States, it must get approval from the sport’s national governing body.

Full Legal Text

Title 36, §220526

Patriotic and National Observances — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)An amateur sports organization that conducts amateur athletic competition shall have exclusive jurisdiction over that competition if participation is restricted to a specific class of amateur athletes, such as high school students, college students, members of the Armed Forces, or similar groups or categories.

(b)An amateur sports organization under subsection (a) of this section shall obtain a sanction from the appropriate national governing body if the organization wishes to—

(1)conduct international amateur athletic competition in the United States; or

(2)sponsor international amateur athletic competition to be held outside the United States.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 220526(a)36:396 (1st sentence).Sept. 21, 1950, ch. 975, title II, § 206, as added Nov. 8, 1978, Pub. L. 95–606, § 2, 92 Stat. 3058. 220526(b)36:396 (last sentence).

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

36 U.S.C. § 220526

Title 36 — Patriotic and National Observances

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60