2020 CrossFit Games: Rulebook and Drug Testing Overview

The 2020 CrossFit Games may be a bit away, but the season of preparation has already started. Now, a first look is available of the rulebook, along with the drug testing policies.

Next year’s CrossFit Games is expected to have several changes to the way it is structured. However any questions about those changes should be put to rest, with the release of the Official Rules and Drug Testing Policies. This information will be released on the Game’s official website, but ahead of that, here is a look at some of the big changes coming.

Dates to Remember:

October 10th -The 2020 Open begins on this day, and continues for five weeks with five workouts. Subsequently, the first workout will be announced then, followed by every week afterwards. The workouts will always be announced at 5pm EST.
November 11th – This is the date that the Open ends. Each week of workouts will require submission on the following Monday, by 5pm EST the latest. This is the date of the final submission slot.
March 12th – The Age Group Online Qualifiers begin on this date. The athletes will receive their qualifying workouts, and will have until 5pm EST on Monday, March 16th to submit.

2020 CrossFit Games Rules – The Open

No Changes To Qualifying Spots – The top 20 male and female individual athletes from the Open will receive spots in the Games. Additionally, the National Champions will also secure a spot.
(NEW) National Champion Spots To Be Backfilled – If there is a circumstance that a National Champion also earns a team spot, and chooses to compete in a team, this will take affect. This allows athletes to have no fear of taking a National Championship spot from another countryman, if they intend to compete on a team.
(NEW) Policy Changes To Video Review – In the event of a video review, officials will combine their reviews with that of the public judges on the CrossFit Games Website. This practice is not new, although it is a new addition to the official rules.
(NEW) Changes To Major and Minor Penalties – In the past, if an athlete had 1-4 “no reps” they would receive a minor penalty, while 5 or more is a major. However this rule was removed this season. This allows more freedom for judges to make fair an accurate calls on penalties inflicted from bad reps.
(NEW) Return of The Affiliate Leaderboard – The Affiliate Leaderboard was removed, but is making a return. This allows for a clear scoring system of the affiliates, in order to encourage their participation. Additionally, it will include a variety of scoring methods to rank each affiliate.
(NEW) Weekly Video Submissions For The Open – The top 40 men and women competing in the Open will be required to submit weekly videos of their exercises. Subsequently, this provides a clear picture of the leaderboard, while holding the athletes accountable.

2020 CrossFit Games Rules – Sanctionals

(NEW) Team Invite Eligibility – Start in the 2020 season, athletes who qualify for the team competition using a Sanctional, will be unable to compete with another team. Meaning that if an athlete competes in a Sanctional with one team. they are not able to help another team qualify. This would result in the invite going to the next team. However this does not prevent individuals who have already qualified from competing in a team.

Drug Testing Policies

Drug Testing and Whereabouts Program – Similar to last year, athletes will be subject to drug testing at any point. Subsequently, athletes are required to fill out a whereabouts form. This will be describing where they are likely to be at a given time.
(NEW) Over The Counter Banned Substances – Wording has been included to remind athletes that some over the counter medications could result in a sanction. Additionally, it is noteworthy that even if an athlete does not test positive, if they are in possession of a banned substance, they are also subject to penalties.
(NEW) Announced Drug Test Failures – Previously, the CrossFit Games would announce a failed drug test by an athlete at their own discretion. However, this season will see all failures announced. Subsequently, any person failing a test will have their names revealed. It will also be announced the date of the sample, and whether it was in or out of competition.

It is important to note that there were no major changes to the rules regarding the main competition of the CrossFit Games in 2020, nor the Age Group Online Qualifiers. Additionally, it is urged that athletes check this list of banned substances, as it holds the most updated information. For more details on the rules and regulations. check the full rulebook.