CrossFit Community Grieves the Passing of Giancarlo Agostino Di Maria to COVID-19

The CrossFit community lost one of their own on Sunday as Giancarlo Agostino Di Maria passed away due to respiratory complications he suffered after contracting COVID-19. This is the first reported coronavirus-related death in the CrossFit community. He was a staple on the competition floor during the Sanctional season serving as a judge. Giancarlo was Italian born and raised in Belgium. He was 41-years-old.

Giancarlo had shown symptoms of the virus prior to being admitted to a hospital in Brussels, Belgium on Wednesday. In Belgium, they only test for COVID-19 if you are in a high-risk category (65 years of age or older, diabetic, heart or lung disease) and show symptoms.

Sacrificing for the Sanctionals: Giancarlo’s love for CrossFit was shown in his travels throughout the world as he volunteered his time and money to judge CrossFit athletes as they competed.

• This season he judged at Filthy 150, Strength in Depth, the Norwegian CrossFit Championship and most recently at Wodapalooza.
• According to fellow judge and friend Laurent Selleslaghs, they were planning on judging at German Throwdown, Italian Showdown and the Lowlands Throwdown together.
• His goal was to ultimately be selected and travel to Madison, Wisconsin to judge at the 2020 CrossFit Games for the first time.

CrossFit and the judging community remembers Giancarlo: His passing has hit the tight-knit CrossFit judging community the hardest. Many took to social media to pay their respects and to honor the memory of him.

• “This is incredibly sad,” commented Matt O’Keefe, President of Loud And Live Sports. “We are devastated to hear the news of Giancarlo’s passing. He was a big part of Sanctionals around the world, volunteering as a judge at many events, including our most recent Wodapalooza. The Loud & Live family mourns with the global community for him and his family.”
• “No matter what, just keep on smiling,” said Selleslaghs. “Everyone will know that this is what Giancarlo would want them to remember about him.”
• In an Instagram post, the organizers of the Italian Showdown honored Giancarlo.
• “My heart is broken for the loss of such a force of happiness,” wrote fellow judge Jackson Maschoff in a Facebook post. “Giancarlo brought joy to so many people and one of my favorite parts of going to these events was spending time with him. There was never a moment where he wasn’t bringing a smile to my face. Rest easy brother.”
• “Truly a gem to the entire CrossFit judging community,” said CrossFit judge Brian Clapp in a Facebook post. “Few had a bigger smile, passion for volunteering and had more Nike Michael Jordan shoes.”