---
kind: "section"
citation: "36 U.S.C. § 220526"
title: "36"
title_heading: "Patriotic and National Observances, Ceremonies, and Organizations"
number: "220526"
heading: "Restricted amateur athletic competitions"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/36/220526"
units:
  - "Subtitle II — Patriotic and National Organizations"
  - "Part B — Organizations"
  - "Chapter 2205 — United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee"
  - "Subchapter II — National Governing Bodies"
---

# §220526. Restricted amateur athletic competitions

- (a) **Exclusive Jurisdiction.—** An [amateur sports organization](/usc/36/220501.md?p=b-3) that conducts [amateur athletic competition](/usc/36/220501.md?p=b-2) shall have exclusive jurisdiction over that competition if participation is restricted to a specific class of [amateur athletes](/usc/36/220501.md?p=b-1), such as high school students, college students, members of the Armed Forces, or similar groups or categories.
- (b) **Sanctions for International Competition.—** An [amateur sports organization](/usc/36/220501.md?p=b-3) under [subsection (a)](#a) of this section shall obtain a [sanction](/usc/36/220501.md?p=b-12) from the appropriate [national governing body](/usc/36/220501.md?p=b-9) if the organization wishes to—
  - (1) conduct [international amateur athletic competition](/usc/36/220501.md?p=b-8) in the United States; or
  - (2) sponsor [international amateur athletic competition](/usc/36/220501.md?p=b-8) to be held outside the United States.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 105–225, Aug. 12, 1998, 112 Stat. 1475.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Revised<br>Section | Source (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). |  |