The 2020 CrossFit Games Are Still Happening—But They'll Be Way Different

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CrossFit Inc., the organization behind the intense competitive sport of the same name, announced the final details for its plan to host the 2020 CrossFit Games during the coronavirus pandemic. The Games will move from Madison, Wisconsin take place in Aromas, California without spectators, as previously announced—but the event will go forward in an even more limited capacity than widely expected. No firm dates have been announced, but the original plan was for the Games to run from July 29 to August 2.

Athlete invites have been severely restricted “due to current limitations on social gatherings,” according to the release. There will no team competition, and the top national champions from all eligible countries will no longer be automatically included in the field, a new addition to the Games last year. This means that 239 previously invited national champions are now ineligible, unless they qualified through other means.

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On April 16, we announced that we are reviewing all options to host the CrossFit Games in Aromas while monitoring events globally. That effort is ongoing. Due to current limitations on social gatherings, and professional sport in particular, the field of athletes in attendance will be reduced. The Open Since the inception of the CrossFit Open, the top 20 athletes on the Open leaderboard have always included the future CrossFit Games champion among their ranks, and the Open winner has gone on to become the Games winner eight times. The top 20 men and 20 women worldwide will receive invites to Aromas. If an athlete declines their invite, the invite passes to the next athlete. Sanctionals The ten Sanctionals that were able to host in-person competitions this season will be invited to send their champions to this year’s CrossFit Games. Sanctionals invites are affected by placement in the Open. If a Sanctionals champion has already qualified through the Open, the invite passes to the next athlete. This process will hold true for this reduced field. For this reason, some invites that were extended before the government lockdowns may pass back to the original invitee. Beginning today, all previously invited individuals will be contacted with an update on the status of their invite. There will not be a team competition at the 2020 Reebok CrossFit Games. National Champions Last year, CrossFit Headquarters expanded the field of athletes in attendance at the Games to include the fittest athlete in every eligible country. In light of current constraints, it will not be possible to host the previously invited 239 national champions in Aromas. The national champion race will reset in 2021 with invites extended to champions who earn top placement in the upcoming CrossFit Open. 2021 Season The changes above have been made in consideration of the current challenges globally. The CrossFit Games will reset for the 2021 season with the intent of returning to crowning national champions and including teams, age group athletes, and a deep field of individuals competing for the title of Fittest on Earth in Madison, Wisconsin. #CrossFitGames @crossfitranch

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Now, only the top 20 men and women from the Open will receive invitations. The 10 Sanctional champions from events that took place for the 2020 season will also be invited. If an athlete declines their invite—given travel restrictions or other potential roadblocks to attending the Games—their invite passes to the next eligible athlete.

The 2020 Games field was originally comprised of 332 athletes, according to Morning Chalk Up, but will now include just 60 total athletes (30 men and 30 women), an 82 percent reduction of competitors.

This has abruptly ended the competitive season for many CrossFit athletes, including U.K. champion Zack George, currently ranked 26th in the world for men, who posted about the situation on Instagram.

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⁣⁣ ? Hey everyone, I wanted to post something as I am receiving so many amazing messages of support. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ I found out about the changes to the CrossFit Games 2020 yesterday at the same time as all of you. As it currently stands, unfortunately, it looks like I won't be going to the Games this year. Only the top 20 males and females from the Open have made the cut and I am currently sitting in 26th place so will need 6 people to decline their spots. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ People around the globe are being universally affected by the virus and the main thing I am concerned about is people staying healthy and safe. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Obviously, I am hugely disappointed to have worked as hard as I have to get to the Games and not be able to attend. I wanted to compete and thrive off the amazing support I have received from everyone who has been on this long journey with me. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Don't worry, I am going to use this experience to #fuelthefire, work harder and get to the games in 2021 in even better shape so I can put in the performance of a lifetime for myself and for everyone who has supported me!⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ I always aim to motivate and inspire anyone who follows me and this is just another one of those situations. You will always come up against hurdles along any journey you may be on and it is how you overcome them that counts. My hard work, determination and persistence will carry on every day and i’m already excited for next season.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ ? I am so grateful for all the love and support from my family, my followers and my sponsors. ⁣ ⁣ #Teamsilverback #Fuelthefire

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“Obviously, I am hugely disappointed to have worked as hard as I have to get to the Games and not be able to attend. I wanted to compete and thrive off the amazing support I have received from everyone who has been on this long journey with me,” he wrote in his post. “Don’t worry, I am going to use this experience to #fuelthefire, work harder and get to the games in 2021 in even better shape so I can put in the performance of a lifetime for myself and for everyone who has supported me!⁣⁣”

CrossFit noted in the release that these extraordinary circumstances will only affect the 2020 Games—hopefully, none of these changes will be permanent. The plan is to reset for the 2021 season, with “intent of returning to crowning national champions and including teams, age group athletes, and a deep field of individuals competing for the title of Fittest on Earth in Madison, Wisconsin.”


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