The 2020 Reebok CrossFit Games have been delayed, according to a tweet from The CrossFit Games’ official account.
According to the post, the postponement is due to “travel restrictions and circumstances beyond [their] control”.
There was no replacement date mentioned, just that the “soonest potential start date is August 17th” and that they would follow up this announcement with more information next week.
Due to travel restrictions and circumstances beyond control, the dates for the 2020 Reebok CrossFit Games will be adjusted.
The soonest potential start date is Aug. 17.
More information will be released next week.
— The CrossFit Games (@CrossFitGames) June 17, 2020
International travel restrictions are still in place due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic that, at least in the United States, has seen a resurgence of cases recently. In the last two weeks, many states have seen a significant increase in coronavirus cases as quarantine restrictions start to ease. The states hit the hardest were Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, and Texas. California, where the Games are currently slated to take place, also saw a steep increase.
Arizona pic.twitter.com/9S41g2AM8l
— Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) June 14, 2020
[Related: CrossFit Games to undergo cultural review to improve inclusivity]
This changing date comes at a tumultuous time for CrossFit, which recently saw a change in leadership as Dave Castro took over as CrossFit CEO after Greg Glassman retired following heavy backlash from comments he made on Twitter. The comments also led to Reebok deciding to end their partnership with CrossFit as well as a significant number of gyms choosing to de-affiliate.
Some of the biggest names in the sport spoke out against Glassman and urged for change, including 4-time Fittest Man on Earth Rich Froning, reigning 4-time Fittest Man on Earth Mat Fraser, 3-time Fittest Woman on Earth Tia-Clair Toomey, and 2-time Fittest Woman on Earth Katrin Davidsdottir. 2019 CrossFit Games runner-up Noah Ohlsen, Chandler Smith, Brooke Wells, Amanda Barnhart, and Davidsdottir have all said they would not be competing at this year’s Games.
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The 2020 CrossFit Games were originally slated to kick off on Wednesday, July 29th in Madison, Wisconsin, but the location was changed to Aromas, California back in April.
Currently, the 2020 CrossFit Games will not be a public event. It will also have a dramatically reduced roster constructed from a modified invite process, and Team and age group competition will be absent.
Feature image from The CrossFit Games Instagram page: @crossfitgames