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The organization behind Crossfit, CrossFit Inc., announced the final details for plans to host the 2020 CrossFit Games.
The good news for fans of the high-intensity sport – the 2020 CrossFit Games will take place from July 29 to August 2, 2020.
The more significant news from CrossFit Inc. is that the games will look significantly different than in years past.
The 2020 CrossFit Games will move from Madison, Wisconsin to Aromas, California. There will be no spectators, and the event will go forward with fewer athletes competing in the event.
“Last year, CrossFit Headquarters expanded the field of athletes in attendance at the Games to include the fittest athlete in every eligible country,” explained the statement. “In light of current constraints, it will not be possible to host the previously invited 239 national champions in Aromas. The national champion race will reset in 2021 with invites extended to champions who earn top placement in the upcoming CrossFit Open.”
According to Morning Chalk Up, the 2020 Games field was initially comprised of 332 athletes. With the changes instituted, the 2020 CrossFit Games will include just 60 total athletes – 30 men and 30 women- for an 82 percent reduction of competitors.
Here’s how CrossFit will find field competitors:
Since the inception of the CrossFit Open, the top 20 athletes on the Open leaderboard have always included the future CrossFit Games champion among their ranks, and the Open winner has gone on to become the Games winner eight times. The top 20 men and 20 women worldwide will receive invites to Aromas. If an athlete declines their invite, the invite passes to the next athlete.
The ten Sanctionals that were able to host in-person competitions this season will be invited to send their champions to this year’s CrossFit Games.
Sanctionals invites are affected by placement in the Open. If a Sanctionals champion has already qualified through the Open, the invite passes to the next athlete. This process will hold true for this reduced field. For this reason, some invites that were extended before the government lockdowns may pass back to the original invitee. Beginning today, all previously invited individuals will be contacted with an update on the status of their invite.
There will not be a team competition at the 2020 Reebok CrossFit Games.
CrossFit realizes this means the end of the season for hundreds of athletes, but this change is online temporary.
“The CrossFit Games will reset for the 2021 season with the intent of returning to crowning national champions and including teams, age-group
athletes, and a deep field of individuals competing for the title of Fittest on Earth in Madison, Wisconsin. We will continue to monitor events globally and provide updates as needed. Restrictions on large gatherings are subject to change. The field of athletes invited may be adjusted based on those guidelines.”
Here are the highlights from the 2019 CrossFit Games.
[via CrossFit.com]
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Chris Illuminati is a 5-time published author and recovering a**hole who writes about success, fitness, parenting, and professional wrestling. Reach out to him on Instagram & Twitter.