First and Most Importantly
If you are ill, please stay home.
If you have been exposed, close contact, with someone whom has tested positive or is reasonably sure they have the Covid19 symptoms or infection, please stay home.
If you yourself are knowingly positive for the Covid19 infection, you MUST STAY HOME. Knowingly presenting the chance for spreading the infection to others could cause criminal and civil liability.
If you have been exposed, close contact, with someone whom has tested positive or is reasonably sure they have the Covid19 symptoms or infection, please stay home.
If you yourself are knowingly positive for the Covid19 infection, you MUST STAY HOME. Knowingly presenting the chance for spreading the infection to others could cause criminal and civil liability.
As we all know, all too well, the pertinent information surrounding the current state of the Covid 19 Pandemic changes frequently.
As we get closer to the date of the competition, this page will be updated with the latest protocols and expectations for Competitors, Coaches, Staff and Attendees. Keeping everyone as safe as possible, through these challenges and creating the best experience possible for everyone is our goal!
A Letter from the Meet Director
Hello Coaches, Teams and Families,
We are blessed to be able to host a competition in these strange times and fortunate to have a gym family like you!! While it is a cliche’ now and we hate it, we are indeed in “strange times.” Together we are working our way through the uncharted waters having a competition season in the midst of the current Covid Pandemic paradigm. With that in mind, that we are sending out this communication. We are all working very hard to ensure the safest possible event for all involved.
It must be our collective goal to do everything we can to ensure that our gymnasts have the best season they possibly can and that this season runs to its natural conclusion and not another disappointing early shut-down. With that in mind and being mindful of all the regulations imposed upon us by USA Gymnastics, the State of Georgia, the City of Atlanta and the Georgia World Congress Center, we have compiled a list of expectations and directions for our upcoming Paws competition in Atlanta.
There are many different opinions as to the impact, existence of and validity of measures taken concerning the Covid19 Pandemic, ie masks, face shields and social distancing. We are not here to debate any of those. A gymnastics competition is neither the time nor place to do so. We fully intend to abide by and enforce the restrictions we must deal with, while working our hardest to keep as much “normal” as we can.
FIRST AND FOREMOST:
IF YOU ARE ILL OR SUSPECT YOU HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO THE VIRUS, PLEASE STAY HOME!
MASK and SOCIAL DISTANCING ARE REQUIRED to attend the competition as a spectator and the same requirements are applied to staff, coaches and gymnasts with exceptions for their actual competition and related safety issues. There are no exemptions for masks for spectators. Please be aware of this. You will be required to wear a mask or face covering. Should you feel the need to remove it, please exit the competition venue and GWCC buildings, get a breath of fresh air and then feel free to return when ready. Once admission is paid, there will be no charge for readmission should you feel the need to step outside. The mask and/or face covering requirement is mandated by the City of Atlanta and the Georgia World Congress Authority and we have no discretion. Those whom cannot comply, will be asked to leave the venue and no refunds will be given.
COMPETITION VENUE:
The competition venue has been moved to Hall 1 in building C. This is a change from Hall 4. C1 is a larger space and is closer to the main doors of building C. As of this writing, there are no other events scheduled in building C during the time of our competition!
PARKING:
The GWCC has provided a link for repurchasing parking at their lots. The Gold Parking Deck and Yellow Parking Lot will be open for parking during the competition. Both are adjacent to building C. The Gold Parking Deck is the closest parking to C1, the venue. The parking link can be found on the meet website and is posted here as well:
https://app.parkmobile.io/venue/georgia-world-congress-center/events
SEATING and ATTENDANCE:
We wish to provide seating for as many, as safely as we can. At this time, we are SUGGESTING that spectators limit themselves, on average, to 4 per athlete. A limited number of larger groups can be accommodated each session. If you know your group will be larger than four, please reach out to us, through your club and we will do our best to accommodate your request, on a first-come-first-served basis. Otherwise, seats will be distanced in clusters of two and four. We ask that you sit with persons from the same household or those with whom you’ve been regularly exposed, for example, other gym parents from your home club. Unfortunately, now is not the time to network or make friends with strangers.
Within the venue, we will have loosely designated seating based on flight and gym. The layout of the gyms can be seen on the Paws for a Cause website, Gyms Layout Rotation sheets for each session will be posted at the venue and online at www.ultimategymsports.com. The full rotations schedule will also be sent directly to the club email we have on file as well as updated 3 days from competition on www.paws4acauseinvitational.com.
ENTRY / ADMISSION:
We will be taking temperature reads on those seeking entry into the venue. We will be encouraging everyone to maintain social distance in the queue. We have lots of space in Building C and will be holding admission groups outside, until the gyms are clear and cleaned. So do not plan on arriving too early. However, please be aware that the GWCC is a big place. If you park in the Red, Gold deck it will take several minutes to walk to C1
COACHES AND ATHLETES WILL GO THROUGH A SEPARATE ENTRANCE WITH TEMPERATURE CHECKS. Coaches will need to check in. Athletes can go to the floor and check-in with their coaches.
Admissions will be by cash or credit. If using cash, please think ahead and calculate the total for your family or group and be prepared to pay with exact change. Adults are $15, Students are $10 and children are under 5 are free. So, two adults, a school aged child and a child under 5 would be $40…
AWARDS:
Due to the guideline by the GWCC and the City of Atlanta, we are striving to avoid crowding and to keep people, grouped for this event, for a minimum amount of time. Individual and team awards will be packaged and sent home with the coaches, for distribution at the home clubs discretion. This has become a common practice this season and we hope that it only lasts this season. The GWCC has asked us to follow this practice to minimize the time people spend within the building and amongst others.
CLEANING:
The competition gyms will be cleaned and disinfected following each session. We ask that you exit the venue as quickly and safely as possible to give our staff time to deploy the mechanisms that will be in use, foggers, disinfectants, atomizers, etc. There will be hand sanitizer available to the coaches and athletes and at admissions. The GWCC will have hand sanitization stations positioned throughout their campus as well. We do ask that you consider bringing your own small bottle of sanitizer as well.
CONCESSIONS:
The GWCC will have some concessions available during the competition. These vendors will be operating on a cashless basis, accepting only credit and debit cards for purchase.
Due to strict guidelines currently in place and to avoid crowding, unfortunately, there can be no coaches hospitality/buffet this year. A variety of snacks & drinks will be available, near the head table as always, just please be mindful that the GWCC does not permit us to bring in outside food, so we don’t know where you got the snacks from :) Also, we have complied a list of gyms that are in 3 sessions in a row. Coaches on that list can come to the head table for a concessions concession. You are also permitted to bring your own lunch, drinks and snacks.
COACHING SPECIFIC and CHALK BUCKETS:
The ability to contact trace is mandated by the City and GWCC. Only if necessary, we will reach out to the attending coaches, following the competition, for a list of athletes family who attended.
Just like at most home gyms, there will be no chalk boxes at this meet. Clubs or athletes need to bring their own chalk in a sealed container and labelled with gym name.
Coaches and judges are required to wear their masks at all times unless eating or drinking, athletes are encouraged to wear their masks during stretch, and in between rotations. They are not required to wear a mask during timed warmup or while they compete.
USA GYMNASTICS GUIDELINES:
Meet Directors Have the Authority:
To enforce and require measures that will provide participates a safe event environment. Specifically, meet directors have the authority to:
Remove and/or disqualify any participants; clubs, coaches, athletes, judges, other sanctioned event staff and spectators who fail or refuse to comply with local ordinances, such as non-compliance of facial covering and/or social distancing mandates.
Eliminate and/or reduce the number of spectators in order to maintain the appropriate social distancing protocol.
Require the use of a facial covering and social distancing protocols throughout the duration of a USA Gymnastics Sanctioned event, even in the absence of such mandates in the state or local area.
.
REMEMBER:
We all need to play by the rules now so these gymnasts can enjoy the fruits of their hard work in the gym and have a full and rewarding season that actually lasts through state and regional championships!
Please distribute this info to your parents so they understand the rules and can be prepared.
Thank You,
Sharon Kelly
Meet Director
We are blessed to be able to host a competition in these strange times and fortunate to have a gym family like you!! While it is a cliche’ now and we hate it, we are indeed in “strange times.” Together we are working our way through the uncharted waters having a competition season in the midst of the current Covid Pandemic paradigm. With that in mind, that we are sending out this communication. We are all working very hard to ensure the safest possible event for all involved.
It must be our collective goal to do everything we can to ensure that our gymnasts have the best season they possibly can and that this season runs to its natural conclusion and not another disappointing early shut-down. With that in mind and being mindful of all the regulations imposed upon us by USA Gymnastics, the State of Georgia, the City of Atlanta and the Georgia World Congress Center, we have compiled a list of expectations and directions for our upcoming Paws competition in Atlanta.
There are many different opinions as to the impact, existence of and validity of measures taken concerning the Covid19 Pandemic, ie masks, face shields and social distancing. We are not here to debate any of those. A gymnastics competition is neither the time nor place to do so. We fully intend to abide by and enforce the restrictions we must deal with, while working our hardest to keep as much “normal” as we can.
FIRST AND FOREMOST:
IF YOU ARE ILL OR SUSPECT YOU HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO THE VIRUS, PLEASE STAY HOME!
MASK and SOCIAL DISTANCING ARE REQUIRED to attend the competition as a spectator and the same requirements are applied to staff, coaches and gymnasts with exceptions for their actual competition and related safety issues. There are no exemptions for masks for spectators. Please be aware of this. You will be required to wear a mask or face covering. Should you feel the need to remove it, please exit the competition venue and GWCC buildings, get a breath of fresh air and then feel free to return when ready. Once admission is paid, there will be no charge for readmission should you feel the need to step outside. The mask and/or face covering requirement is mandated by the City of Atlanta and the Georgia World Congress Authority and we have no discretion. Those whom cannot comply, will be asked to leave the venue and no refunds will be given.
COMPETITION VENUE:
The competition venue has been moved to Hall 1 in building C. This is a change from Hall 4. C1 is a larger space and is closer to the main doors of building C. As of this writing, there are no other events scheduled in building C during the time of our competition!
PARKING:
The GWCC has provided a link for repurchasing parking at their lots. The Gold Parking Deck and Yellow Parking Lot will be open for parking during the competition. Both are adjacent to building C. The Gold Parking Deck is the closest parking to C1, the venue. The parking link can be found on the meet website and is posted here as well:
https://app.parkmobile.io/venue/georgia-world-congress-center/events
SEATING and ATTENDANCE:
We wish to provide seating for as many, as safely as we can. At this time, we are SUGGESTING that spectators limit themselves, on average, to 4 per athlete. A limited number of larger groups can be accommodated each session. If you know your group will be larger than four, please reach out to us, through your club and we will do our best to accommodate your request, on a first-come-first-served basis. Otherwise, seats will be distanced in clusters of two and four. We ask that you sit with persons from the same household or those with whom you’ve been regularly exposed, for example, other gym parents from your home club. Unfortunately, now is not the time to network or make friends with strangers.
Within the venue, we will have loosely designated seating based on flight and gym. The layout of the gyms can be seen on the Paws for a Cause website, Gyms Layout Rotation sheets for each session will be posted at the venue and online at www.ultimategymsports.com. The full rotations schedule will also be sent directly to the club email we have on file as well as updated 3 days from competition on www.paws4acauseinvitational.com.
ENTRY / ADMISSION:
We will be taking temperature reads on those seeking entry into the venue. We will be encouraging everyone to maintain social distance in the queue. We have lots of space in Building C and will be holding admission groups outside, until the gyms are clear and cleaned. So do not plan on arriving too early. However, please be aware that the GWCC is a big place. If you park in the Red, Gold deck it will take several minutes to walk to C1
COACHES AND ATHLETES WILL GO THROUGH A SEPARATE ENTRANCE WITH TEMPERATURE CHECKS. Coaches will need to check in. Athletes can go to the floor and check-in with their coaches.
Admissions will be by cash or credit. If using cash, please think ahead and calculate the total for your family or group and be prepared to pay with exact change. Adults are $15, Students are $10 and children are under 5 are free. So, two adults, a school aged child and a child under 5 would be $40…
AWARDS:
Due to the guideline by the GWCC and the City of Atlanta, we are striving to avoid crowding and to keep people, grouped for this event, for a minimum amount of time. Individual and team awards will be packaged and sent home with the coaches, for distribution at the home clubs discretion. This has become a common practice this season and we hope that it only lasts this season. The GWCC has asked us to follow this practice to minimize the time people spend within the building and amongst others.
CLEANING:
The competition gyms will be cleaned and disinfected following each session. We ask that you exit the venue as quickly and safely as possible to give our staff time to deploy the mechanisms that will be in use, foggers, disinfectants, atomizers, etc. There will be hand sanitizer available to the coaches and athletes and at admissions. The GWCC will have hand sanitization stations positioned throughout their campus as well. We do ask that you consider bringing your own small bottle of sanitizer as well.
CONCESSIONS:
The GWCC will have some concessions available during the competition. These vendors will be operating on a cashless basis, accepting only credit and debit cards for purchase.
Due to strict guidelines currently in place and to avoid crowding, unfortunately, there can be no coaches hospitality/buffet this year. A variety of snacks & drinks will be available, near the head table as always, just please be mindful that the GWCC does not permit us to bring in outside food, so we don’t know where you got the snacks from :) Also, we have complied a list of gyms that are in 3 sessions in a row. Coaches on that list can come to the head table for a concessions concession. You are also permitted to bring your own lunch, drinks and snacks.
COACHING SPECIFIC and CHALK BUCKETS:
The ability to contact trace is mandated by the City and GWCC. Only if necessary, we will reach out to the attending coaches, following the competition, for a list of athletes family who attended.
Just like at most home gyms, there will be no chalk boxes at this meet. Clubs or athletes need to bring their own chalk in a sealed container and labelled with gym name.
Coaches and judges are required to wear their masks at all times unless eating or drinking, athletes are encouraged to wear their masks during stretch, and in between rotations. They are not required to wear a mask during timed warmup or while they compete.
USA GYMNASTICS GUIDELINES:
Meet Directors Have the Authority:
To enforce and require measures that will provide participates a safe event environment. Specifically, meet directors have the authority to:
Remove and/or disqualify any participants; clubs, coaches, athletes, judges, other sanctioned event staff and spectators who fail or refuse to comply with local ordinances, such as non-compliance of facial covering and/or social distancing mandates.
Eliminate and/or reduce the number of spectators in order to maintain the appropriate social distancing protocol.
Require the use of a facial covering and social distancing protocols throughout the duration of a USA Gymnastics Sanctioned event, even in the absence of such mandates in the state or local area.
.
REMEMBER:
We all need to play by the rules now so these gymnasts can enjoy the fruits of their hard work in the gym and have a full and rewarding season that actually lasts through state and regional championships!
Please distribute this info to your parents so they understand the rules and can be prepared.
Thank You,
Sharon Kelly
Meet Director
The competition venue is Hall C of the Georgia World Congress Center. This is located in the Corner of building "C" and can be directly accessed from nearby parking lots.
The competition venue is a large (100,000+ square feet), well ventilated space with ceiling heights of 40+ feet.
Competitive entries for this competition will be limited to provide more space and time. This will allow for more, spaced, spectator seating and enhanced cleaning protocol.
Squads will be constructed and sizes will be limited to minimize overall, unnecessary interaction.
Seating will be allowed by "groups or pods" of spectators known to one another or members of a family group. These groups/Pods will have space remain socially distanced from other groups/pods.
The competition venue is a large (100,000+ square feet), well ventilated space with ceiling heights of 40+ feet.
Competitive entries for this competition will be limited to provide more space and time. This will allow for more, spaced, spectator seating and enhanced cleaning protocol.
Squads will be constructed and sizes will be limited to minimize overall, unnecessary interaction.
Seating will be allowed by "groups or pods" of spectators known to one another or members of a family group. These groups/Pods will have space remain socially distanced from other groups/pods.
While the Georgia World Congress Center is being used as an auxiliary hospital for the Covid Pandemic related illnesses, there is no danger to our event. The auxiliary hospital is housed within building A. The Paws competition is being held in building C, specifically, Hall C4. These are entirely separate buildings that do not share any utilities or ventilation. Hall C4 is ideal for this years competition as it can be accessed without traveling through any other part of the World Congress Complex and hosts its own two parking lots.
Covid Protocols
The safety of all gymnasts, coaches, judges, spectators, and volunteers is very important to us. We are implementing the following COVID-19 precautions and policies with that goal in mind. These guidelines will be fluid during the pre-meet planning process as national and local guidelines change. We will communicate any updates as they occur to participating gyms and post them on our website.
1) Sharon Kelly will serve as COVID Coordinators for Atlanta's 2021 Paws for a Cause Invitational. They will work to develop policies in compliance with all county, city, and state guidelines pertaining to COVID–19. They will also be available at the meet to deal with any COVID concerns/questions. They can be reached with specific questions or concerns at sharon@ultimategymsports.com
2) Masks OR face shields will be required by all while inside the venue. Disposable masks will be available at admissions for anyone who does not have a mask available. Gymnasts will be able to remove their mask or face shield once they are on the competition floor. Signage will be posted at all entrances informing all that masks are required for entry.
3) Individual gyms are encouraged to screen their athletes’ temperature upon arrival. An athlete with a temperature greater than 100.4 should leave the competition venue as soon as possible.
4) Hand Sanitizer will be available at admissions as well as throughout the competition floor.
5) Each gymnast should come prepared with their own bag of chalk, spray bottle and grip brush. We will not have the chalk buckets out on the competition floor.
6) Admissions will be cashless and will be advertised as such. Plexiglas barriers will be located on admissions tables.
7) Signage will be posted at each entrance area posting that entry will be prohibited for those:
8) Signage will be posted throughout the venue promoting 6 foot social distancing.
9) Equipment will be cleaned between rotations through the use of CDC accepted cleaning solutions and recommendations.
10) Only bottled water will be offered to coaches and judges on the competition floor. Athletes should bring their own water bottles.
11) Face shields will be provided to judges who choose to wear them in addition to their required mask.
12) In past years, The Georgia World Congress Center has allowed for plenty of seating and we have never been at capacity during previous competitions. This will allow spectators to socially distance, but should there be a need, seating and building capacity will be limited per city, state, and county guidelines at the time of the meet in February 2021. We will communicate these to participating gyms one week prior to the meet to ensure the most up-to-date guidelines are being followed.
13) Hospitality meals will be pre-packed “Grab and Go" provided by concessions vouchers to qualifying coaches.
14) Extra time between sessions will be scheduled to allow for deeper cleaning of the competition floor (chairs in event corrals, judges tables, and equipment).
15) Athletes from the same gym will be co-horted into rotations as able.
16) Equipment on the gym floor will be arranged so that travel by spectators can be kept to a minimum.
17) Only competing athletes may be within the competition area and/or accompany coaching staff
2) Masks OR face shields will be required by all while inside the venue. Disposable masks will be available at admissions for anyone who does not have a mask available. Gymnasts will be able to remove their mask or face shield once they are on the competition floor. Signage will be posted at all entrances informing all that masks are required for entry.
3) Individual gyms are encouraged to screen their athletes’ temperature upon arrival. An athlete with a temperature greater than 100.4 should leave the competition venue as soon as possible.
4) Hand Sanitizer will be available at admissions as well as throughout the competition floor.
5) Each gymnast should come prepared with their own bag of chalk, spray bottle and grip brush. We will not have the chalk buckets out on the competition floor.
6) Admissions will be cashless and will be advertised as such. Plexiglas barriers will be located on admissions tables.
7) Signage will be posted at each entrance area posting that entry will be prohibited for those:
- Individuals that have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and remain infectious according to CDC guidance.
- Individuals that have symptoms of COVID-19 (including fever, cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell) or who have had the symptoms 5 days before the competition.
- Individuals who have otherwise been sick, or in the past 14 days have been in close contact with an individual who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 or who has symptoms of COVID-19.
8) Signage will be posted throughout the venue promoting 6 foot social distancing.
9) Equipment will be cleaned between rotations through the use of CDC accepted cleaning solutions and recommendations.
10) Only bottled water will be offered to coaches and judges on the competition floor. Athletes should bring their own water bottles.
11) Face shields will be provided to judges who choose to wear them in addition to their required mask.
12) In past years, The Georgia World Congress Center has allowed for plenty of seating and we have never been at capacity during previous competitions. This will allow spectators to socially distance, but should there be a need, seating and building capacity will be limited per city, state, and county guidelines at the time of the meet in February 2021. We will communicate these to participating gyms one week prior to the meet to ensure the most up-to-date guidelines are being followed.
13) Hospitality meals will be pre-packed “Grab and Go" provided by concessions vouchers to qualifying coaches.
14) Extra time between sessions will be scheduled to allow for deeper cleaning of the competition floor (chairs in event corrals, judges tables, and equipment).
15) Athletes from the same gym will be co-horted into rotations as able.
16) Equipment on the gym floor will be arranged so that travel by spectators can be kept to a minimum.
17) Only competing athletes may be within the competition area and/or accompany coaching staff
