Athlete Call Provides More Details About The Games

Last Friday, athletes and members of the CrossFit Games team gathered via conference call for another informational meeting regarding the upcoming online portion of the 2020 CrossFit Games that will kick off September 18th. Since the announcement of the two-part format 24 days ago, very little information has been revealed about the online portion and the community has been eagerly waiting for any clues.

One big thing: Per multiple sources, the call provided some additional details regarding equipment needs and procedures, but the CrossFit Games was unable to provide any details just yet regarding the number of days the competition would last or specific timeframes for athletes to compete in.

• Athletes were told they would need certain things to help verify their workouts alongside their chosen judge for the competition including scales, measuring tape, and distance rollers to measure longer distances.
• Rolling solo: Another stipulation of the competition was that all athletes will compete alone in private at local times during the specified time window, and scores will be shared upon completion by all athletes meaning no fans or spectators.  

The equipment list: The full list of equipment has not been shared publicly yet, but our sources relayed that it featured basic gym equipment used in programming for the Open, noting that the one additional piece of equipment listed not typically seen for the Open was the GHD machine.

• Notably absent were machines like the bike erg, or ski erg, along with the Assault Bike and odd object items like D-balls, but it’s possible that since the full scope of competition days is not yet known, then the equipment list could grow in the coming weeks as well.
• Time to run: The meeting also revealed that running will likely be included in the online portion of the competition, utilizing the distance rollers, and the certified judge to measure and confirm an “out and back,” running length for one of the tests.

UPDATE 9/3: In an Instagram post, Dave Castro revealed that Concept2 rowers will be needed and are included in an event.

Why this matters: Running has been and will continue to be a significant element of the test of fitness and up until this point, it has been excluded from basically all online-style workouts. Take 2019 for example, three of the first six tests included significant running elements. Two of the first three events included more than a mile’s worth of running that eventually sent two-thirds of the field home.

Stay tuned: The full program of events won’t likely be released until a few days before the competition to prevent athletes from having a substantial enough time to practice and strategize, but enough time to iron out details with their workout location accordingly.