CrossFit announced today that it has appointed Wendy Guthrie as the Head of Safety for this summer’s CrossFit Games in Albany, NY.
- “Wendy brings an ideal blend of safety expertise and CrossFit knowledge, having led athlete safety efforts at the very highest level in sport while also being a longtime dedicated member of the CrossFit community,” CrossFit CEO Don Faul said in a press release.
As Head of Safety, Guthrie, “will be responsible for advancing CrossFit Sport safety practices, leading real-time safety response operations during competitive events, and continuously refining CrossFit’s approach to athlete protection,” the press release stated.
- Further, Guthrie will “liaise with the CrossFit Safety Advisory Board to research and elevate safety standards and foster a culture of accountability and care across the sport.”
The Big Picture
The Head of Safety role is a new one that CrossFit introduced this season in the aftermath of Lazar Đukić’s death at the 2024 CrossFit Games. The tragedy led many in the community, including the Professional Fitness Athletes’ Association (PFAA), to call for accountability and a commitment to prioritize athlete safety.
- In November, 2024, CrossFit then revealed six actions they intend to take this season, one of them being to hire a senior safety leader — Head of Safety — who will report to both the Director of the CrossFit Games, Dave Castro, and to Faul, and who will “provide regular briefings on CrossFit’s safety plans and posture.”
The other five actions included:
- The creation of a CrossFit Athlete Council.
- The creation of a Safety Advisory Board.
- A continued suspension of open-water swimming events.
- Enhancing pre-event rehearsals for safety review.
- An expansion of mental health support resources.
In January, CrossFit established its new Athlete Council, and now, by appointing Guthrie as Head of Safety, it has fulfilled another of its six commitments.
About Wendy Guthrie
According to CrossFit’s press release, Guthrie has two decades of experience in risk management, organizational strategy, and athlete advocacy.
Her career resume includes six years of experience working in human resources with the FBI and over 15 years of experience as an intercollegiate athletic administrator. She has also served as the Vice President of Athlete Safety at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee.
- Of her new role, Guthrie said: “I’m excited to join the team and further advance an athlete-first approach to safety – one that listens, adapts, and puts the well-being of our athletes at the center of everything we do.”
The Bottom Line
After last year’s CrossFit Games, athletes and the PFAA have been vocal about the need for CrossFit to prioritize athlete safety.
While CrossFit largely ignored the PFAA’s specific demands, it did commit to implementing various measures to enhance athlete safety, including the hiring of a Head of Safety.
At the very least, Guthrie’s appointment shows that CrossFit is honoring the commitment it made to the athletes last November.
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Featured Image: Joe Genetin-Pilawa
