CrossFit Games

The Number One Athlete in Italy Dropped Out

March 22, 2019 by
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What happened?

Yesterday, Joe Scali announced on Instagram that he won’t be submitting a score for 19.5, essentially handing over the National Championship to second place in Italy, Stefano Migliorini.

OK, why?

Because Scali intends to compete on a team at the CrossFit Games.

The new CrossFit Games rules states that “If a National Champion declines to compete in the Games, CrossFit Inc. will not backfill the spot to the second-place athlete.”

Scali is currently first in Italy and in a very strong position to win the national championship. Winning and competing on a team would deny Italy the chance to send an individual athlete to the Games in August.

What a stand-up guy.

Seriously though. It’s the move of a true sportsman to ensure that his country is able to send an athlete to compete at the Games.

Especially considering that Scali’s team, Team Pro1, hasn’t qualified for the Games yet or even competed at a Sanctional.

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