“If you want to make enemies, try to change something.”- Woodrow Wilson
CROSSFIT GAMES
“Better for Everyone,” and a Smart Business Decision: Coaches and Athletes React to 2024 Season Changes
“I think it’s a very good thing for the athletes and the sport in general” is how Underdogs Athletics coach Justin Cotler reacted to the news released on Tuesday that age group and adaptive athletes will no longer be included at the CrossFit Games.
2008 CrossFit Games champion and NCFIT owner Jason Khalipa said the same: “This will be good for the athletes and good for the sport. It will create opportunities to allow each division to reach its potential.”
Remind me: The first part of the 2024 season will be the same for age group divisions, but their end-of-season championship will now be the Legends Championship (Masters) and Pit Teen Throwdown (Teens). Meanwhile, the entire adaptive season will be hosted by the WheelWOD Games moving forward. This, of course, means, the CrossFit Games will feature only individual and team athletes.
What they’re saying: Giving the age group and adaptive athletes their own competition will go a long way in finally being able to focus the attention they deserve, say Cotler, Khalipa and seven-time Games athlete Kari Pearce.
“We have seen in the last several years that the age group and adaptive divisions have been a bit of a side show at the Games. CrossFit simply doesn’t have the bandwidth to do every division justice. I think having dedicated competitions where the age groups and adaptive athletes can be the sole focus will be huge for them,” Cotler said.
“The CrossFit Games were trying to be everything for everyone at the World Championships. And I think that for the adaptive (divisions) and the age group (divisions) to really truly reach their potential in terms of exposure, they need to have their own championship. They need to have their own time to shine. Otherwise, at times the individuals get most of the attention, and these other divisions don’t. And they deserve to receive the same amount of attention,” Khalipa offered.
“For the masters, teens and adaptive (athletes) hopefully it allows them to get the attention they deserve by having a separate competition. They are all inspirational in their own way and I know there are many incredible stories amongst each group,” Pearce said.
Finally, long-time CrossFit Games coach and the owner of CrossFit New England pointed out it’s just a smart business decision on CrossFit LLC’s part.
“While there is incredible passion for age groups and adaptive athletes, they are logistically challenging, essentially requiring two to three times the number of judges, volunteers and length of the venue rental at the Games without the additional partnership or ticket revenue to support it,” Bergeron explained.
“So from a business perspective, especially with CrossFit retaining the registration fees from the Open, Quarterfinals and Semifinals this makes a lot of sense. And this is a compliment, not a knock. Finding ways to be more profitable is a good thing for those who love our sport as it brings greater opportunity for CrossFit to create more magic for the athletes and fans.”
One big thing: Michele Letendre, a six-time Games athlete and Pat Vellner’s long-time coach, thinks, if done with care, the change also has the potential to be especially valuable to help protect and groom teen athletes for long-term success.
“I think this can lead to a more organized way of growing athletes into the sport, hopefully creating standards in training youth and avoiding burnout,” Letendre said.
The big picture: With age group and adaptive athletes no longer in the picture at the Games, CrossFit will also now be free to focus entirely on the individuals and teams. Cotler, Letendre and Pearce hope this will lead to an even better experience for the athletes, and ultimately help professionalize the sport.
“The fact that the Games will solely focus on individuals and teams allows for a much more professional product and more storytelling opportunities for media and spectators,” Cotler said.
“I’m excited to see if this allows some consistency in the schedule since things have been constantly changing from an athlete’s perspective. Plus maybe there is a potential for more flexibility with things like location,” Pearce said.
“For individuals and teams it’ll free up resources and help in correcting major issues such as media exposure, staff shortages and possible scheduling. It just makes sense,” Letendre said.
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Limited Edition Fikowski Merch: Check out this limited edition “Tall Terror” t-shirt from CrossFit Games podium veteran Brent Fikowski and TYR. From the Professor, “Based on the last few years in Madison there are lots of fun details in this design that we’ve been working hard to bring to life!”
🎙️ 🎙️ The Weekly Buzz: Check out the new collab between the Morning Chalk Up and Kettlebells and Cocktails and get caught up on some of the top community, affiliate, and sport stories of the week.
On this episode: CrossFit’s big announcement about the 2024 season changes for the Age Groups and Adaptive Divisions, competition updates from the Down Under Championship and Dubai, WHOOP announces AI Coach, Kansas State University study shows effectiveness of CrossFit vs regular PE in high school setting and more.
🐒 💪 Power Monkey Camp registration is now open for 2024. The dates for the camp are September 22-28, 2024 and the early bird discounted price is $2,199.
💪 🔥 The TYR Wodapalooza Team Online Challenge and Qualifier began last week with the first workouts being announced. Registration closes and scores are due on October 23 and video submissions are due on October 26. Learn more now and get registered!
Have a Speed Read you think we might like? Hit us up.
LIFESTYLE
MEMBER EXCLUSIVE
What to Consider When Taking on “CHAD 1000X”
In CrossFit, plenty of workouts challenge us mentally and physically. Then there are the Hero workouts, designed to be uniquely grueling tests that often go above and beyond the challenges of the daily programming.
One of those workouts is “CHAD 1000X” which involves 1,000 step-ups to a 20-inch box (done with a 40- or 30-pound ruck sack, to boot). It was created in memory of Chad Wilkinson, a Navy SEAL Senior Chief who died by suicide in 2018. The Step Up Foundation, started by Chad’s wife Sara, promotes awareness around veteran suicide and prevention.
It’s that time of year: leaves are falling, mornings are getting crisp, PSLs are back in the rotation. The weather calls for bundling up, which for a lot of us can be a bit…tricky.
Months spent working hard in the gym are coming back to bite us, with flannels that are too tight in the chest and shoulders, sleeves that are too short, or pants that fit in the legs but not at the waist. To make layering-season a lot more comfortable, Born Primitive has created the Campfire Collection.
The lineup: Built with durable fabrics that can keep up with outdoor adventures, added stretch for full range of motion, and athlete-tested designs that ensure a flattering fit for all builds.
Last year’s Campfire Collection releases were a hit and the most common feedback was a plea for more colors. The best-sellers from last year’s collection, such as the Timber Jacket, Pioneer Jacket, Woodsman Stretchy Flannel, and Flex Stretchy Jeans, have been revamped in brand new fall colors.
Additionally, the mid-rise version of the brand’s beloved women’s denim is finally here. Just like the high-rise version, this updated version is designed for athletic builds and hugs quads and glutes without a waist gap. They’re soft, flattering, and may just become your most well-loved pair of denim. And if you’re looking for a classic denim-on-denim look, check out the Pioneer Jacket in a black or light wash.
For women who want the warmth of thick, insulated pants without the bulkiness, look to the Fleece Lined Leggings. With the same stretchiness, durability, and functionality of Born Primitive’s traditional leggings and added an ultra-plush lining for superior warmth.
Flannels are offered in full-length or cropped, solid or plaid, fleece-lined or unlined.
Brand new styles were added as well, like the Women’s Sherpa Cropped Fleece or returning favorites in brand new colors, like the Woodsman Stretchy Flannel.
The details: The new Campfire Collection just dropped on October 13th and is available now. The line runs the entire range from shirts, pants, denim, leggings, hats and jackets. As the brand has always been known for creating flattering fits for muscular bodies, this new collection does exactly that, and doesn’t skimp on the style.
THINGS TO...
...ASK
Can You Do Your Rope Climb Technique in Your Sleep?
If not, you better get to practicing if you want to be able to maintain your form under high points of fatigue.
Prepare for a 1-Day ONLY sale on the Victory Grips X2 Collection. These grips are your ultimate partner for crushing your WOD. Made with soft, vegan-friendly material, they'll keep you cool and comfy as you conquer your CrossFit journey.
How to Recover From an Injury: The Old Way vs. The New
The old way to recover from an injury led to you getting out of shape, creating more problems than before, and kept doctors and physical therapists in business. What about the new way?
Great Oaks CrossFit in Wadsworth, OH is hosting a fundraiser on Saturday, October 21, from 10:00 am to 10:00 am on Sunday October 22, where those registered will complete WODs over the course of 4, 8, 12 or 24 hours. Having already raised $9,000 that will be donated to the Cleveland Clinic Cancer Research Center, Great Oaks CrossFit is hosting the event in honor of five members of the gym who are breast cancer survivors. Anyone in the area is encouraged to drop in and participate, and a donation link is also live now.
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