As used in this part, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) “Olympic competition” means the official Olympic games, sanctioned by the United States Olympic Committee, in which the United States competes as a national body;
(2) “Pan-American competition” means the official Pan-American games, sanctioned by the United States Olympic Committee, in which the United States competes as a national body;
(3) “Public employee” means any person holding a position by appointment or employment in the service of a public employer;
(4) “Public employer” means:
(A) The state of Tennessee;
(B) A county, city, town, municipality or any other political subdivision of the state;
(C) A school district or any governmental entity operating a public school, vocational school, technical school, college, junior college or university;
(D) A public improvement or special district;
(E) A public authority, commission or public benefit corporation; or
(F) Any other public corporation, agency or instrumentality or unit of government which exercises governmental powers under the laws of the state;
(5) “Team” means any group leader, coach, official or athlete who comprises the official delegation of the United States to world, Pan-American or Olympic competition; and
(6) “World level competition” means any amateur competition between any athlete or athletes representing the United States and any athlete or athletes representing any foreign country, where the competition is sanctioned by the national governing body of the United States for that sport in which the public employee seeking leave under this provision plans to compete.
