From USAPL President Larry Maile:

February 8, 2010

To: All USA Powerlifting Members

From: USA Powerlifting Executive

Recently the International Powerlifting Federation published the most recent version of the "Approved Equipment List." As you are probably aware, equipment is approved for use in all IPF and affiliate federation competitions through inspection by the Technical Committee and payment of licensing fees to the IPF. Failure to pay licensing fees will result in suspension of approval for the equipment of the of the non-paying manufacturer. Fees are due for each category of equipment (e.g. suits, supportive shirts, wraps) by January of each year.

Several manufacturers have not submitted licensing fees for supportive equipment for 2010 making their equipment "non-approved." However, the Executive Committee of USA Powerlifting recognizes that immediately removing the possibility of using non-approved equipment causes significant hardship for athletes who purchased previously approved equipment in good faith. It is also recognized that the IPF continues to negotiate with manufacturers for payment of licensing fees.

Therefore, during this period, and in light of the short notice given athletes equipment that was approved in 2009 will continue to be accepted in USA Powerlifting competition until such time as negotiations conclude between the manufacturers and the IPF. It would be senseless to disallow equipment only to reinstate it should it become "allowed" again soon. We recognize that in these times of economic hardship athletes are unable to purchase equipment freely and that changes during training cycles pose the risk of injury.

Sincerely,

L.J. Maile, Ph.D., President for the Executive of USA Powerlifting

From the FDA website: MuscleMaster.com Products Sold on Internet as Dietary Supplements: Recall:

MuscleMaster.com, Inc. and FDA notified consumers and healthcare professionals of the voluntary nationwide recall of all lots and expiration dates of the seventeen dietary supplements listed in the firm press release, sold between June 1, 2009 and November 17, 2009. FDA informed MuscleMaster.com that it believes that the recalled products contain ingredients that are steroids. FDA is concerned the products may present a safety risk to consumers who ingest them.

Just a reminder to USAPL athletes, you are responsible for what you put into your body.

The official web site for the 2010 Men’s Open/Teen/Junior National Powerlifting Championships has been launched: www.mensnationals.com. The Championships will take place June 18-20 in Palm Springs, California.

The website showcases the event and provides information on all aspects of the championship for athletes, coaches, officials and spectators as well as general information about the Palm Springs region.

Currently the site offers information on hospitality, air travel, detailed event schedule, sponsorship and volunteer opportunities, and background information on the championship. The site will be updated with press releases, competition results and photo galleries.

The site is designed to showcase and attract people to the event and provide them with as much information as possible in a format that is easy to navigate.

It is that time of year to start the process of the 2010 USAPL Women's Hall of Fame Induction.

The Women's Hall of Fame information can be found here: USAPL Women's Hall of Fame

Please note the nomination deadline is a little over a month away, January 15th.

Priscilla Ribic
USAPL Women's Committee Chair

Johnny Graham would like to announce that he has secured sponsorship for the first 100 lifters to enter the USAPL 2010 Masters' National Powerlifting Championships. The competition will be held April 30, 2010 - May 2, 2010 in Killeen, Texas. The sponsorship will cover the first 100 lifters' entry fees. To qualify for the sponsorship, lifters must send the following to Johnny Graham (meet director).

1. Completed entry form


2. Lifters must stay at the Shiloh Inn in Killeen, TX.


3. Check-in/Check-out dates and the number of nights you will be staying at the Shiloh Inn.
4. Check to pre-pay for their rooms ($125 per night) at the Shiloh Inn. Breakfast is included in the room fee.

The powerlifting events at the Arnold Sports Festival are USAPL promoted, invitation-only events. The lifters are chosen from a qualified pool of lifters who post qualifying totals and who have "accepted". "Accept" means the lifter is expressing an interest in competing , further narrowing the pool for selection, but it is the USAPL Arnold Sports Festival Organizing Committee who chooses from the narrowed "Accept" pool. The USAPL notifies those who have been chosen, not those who haven't been chosen. Those who have been selected are also posted on the Arnold Sport Festival page on the
USAPL website. At present, participation in other federation's events is not a factor, either positive or negative in selection.

USAPL works with the individual sponsors of events and their representatives to ensure that the objectives of each are met as best as possible within the framework of the Festival, needs for qualified applicants, and quality show(s). Sponsors' interests and criteria are sometimes different. However, we strive for competitions that are entertaining, professional, and financially viable for both USAPL and our benefactors.

Respectfully,

L.J.(Larry) Maile, Ph.D., President
USA Powerlifting

The USAPL Coaching Committee is requesting resumes from candidates for coaching positions for 2010. Head coaching positions will be for a 3 year term. As of now, the two head coaching positions open are for the Masters Powerlifting Team and the Junior Bench Press Team (this is a new team). If you are interested please send your resume to Dan Gaudreau at rmlcco@yahoo.com.

Thanks,
Dan Gaudreau
Coaching Committee Chair

Got a creative side? Help design the 2010 Arnold Sports Festival logo and win $300 in USAPL Merchandise!
Information for your submittal:

Logo to include a minimum of:
-USAPL Logo
-IPF Logo
-The Contest year: 2010
-Contest Name: Arnold Sports Festival
-City Name: Columbus, OH
-Wording: America's Choice for Drug-free Strength Sport

Art Format:
Design: 4-color
Sample format for submittal: .jpg
Final Version format: .eps illustrator vector art, 300 dpi with the colors separated

Deadlines:
Samples Due no later than October 15th
Winner decided by November 15th

Submit to: pribic@usapowerlifting.com
Please send medium size jpgs. You will receive an acknowledgement email to show your submittal has been received.

The 2010 Arnold Sports Festival Rankings have now been posted here.

The 2009 USAPL National Governing Body Meeting Agenda has been posted here.