Today, as CrossFit makes its long awaited return to live competition with fans after a two year absence, this is really the first CrossFit Games under new management. The 2020 Games took place barely two months after Eric Roza took possession of the company.

One big thing: We’re also seeing a return to the Games format that was used for many years where the age group athletes kicked-off Games week on Tuesday, concluding Friday, and the individual athletes starting on Wednesday with a break on Thursday. 

Today, all age group divisions and adaptive athletes will compete in three events (details below). The weather is forecasted to be a high of 90 (32C) and a low of 70 (21C) in Madison, WI. 

• Follow our live blog to stay up to date with what’s going on around the arena. 
• Last but not least, if you’re in Madison, here are all the activities to get involve inside and outside the arena. 

Speed read: A few stories that came out yesterday to get you up to speed. 

• Bethany Shadburne tested positive for COVID-19 and withdrew from competition. In addition, Kara Saunders also initially tested positive but a subsequent on-site test “with an antigen test on-site” came back negative “indicating she is no longer infectious” and is now cleared to compete.
• Brooke Wells is now the new thumbnail of the Spotify Beast Mode workout playlist, a curated list with more than 8 million global subscribers. The takeover and subsequent ad campaign will feature Wells as the thumbnail the entire week of the Games as well as blanket 25-second video ads across all Spotify workout playlists through August 1. 
• ??? Which athletes benefit most from the new cut system? Games analyst Brian Friend dissects the recent announcement revealing a new cut system and which athletes benefit the most and the least. (Premium)
• Take a look inside the new athlete experience designed by NOBULL. (Premium)
• Kara Saunders just announced that she’s signed with INOV-8. The former NIKE athlete won’t be able to take advantage of the new Reebok prize money as a result. 
• Masters athlete Alethea Boon has withdrawn from competition citing new lockdown measures in New Zealand and facing “potential decrease[s] in numbers being allowed back into the country.”