2020 CrossFit Games COVID-19 Athlete Safety Protocols Revealed

With the 2020 CrossFit Games being rescheduled and adjusted for the current global health crisis, it was expected that we would see some big changes in safety protocols. Now CrossFit HQ has released information regarding what changes they will be making to properly accommodate safety guidelines.

There were already a ton of changes being made for this year’s Games. Not only would they be moving to Aromas, California, but there will be no age group or team competition this year, minimizing the amount of attendees to just those competing in the individual events. Furthermore, athlete invites were reset, and the event will be closed to the public.

However even with this information, there were still a lot of unanswered questions about what the 2020 CrossFit Games would look like, in terms of safety protocols and procedures for the athletes. Well a recent announcement from CrossFit HQ has done a lot to answer these questions, by shedding a lot of light on what their plans are. For the most part, they will be following similar models to the NBA, by employing a “Bubble” to limit interaction and possible transmission among the athletes.

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It is important to the CrossFit Games to protect athletes, staff, volunteers, and anyone else on site at our annual event. Safety protocols and procedures surrounding competition, along with emergency action plans that cover all personnel and fans, have been part of the CrossFit Games since 2013. It is also important to us that we remain responsible citizens and minimize the impact we have on the communities we operate in and travel through. This includes minimizing the potential risk of transmitting infection as well as limiting the impact we have on local health-care resources. The CrossFit Medical Team plays an integral role in supporting the health- and safety-related protocols in place at the CrossFit Games. The CrossFit Medical Team comprises an experienced group of medical professionals with a wide range of expertise. It operates in partnership with Drug Free Sport, serving as both our COVID testing consultants and Drug Policy testing provider. Drug Free Sport is also the official testing agency for the PGA, PBR, NBA, NFL, NASCAR, and many other professional sports currently hosting live events. For more information on the Medical Team’s response to COVID-19, visit the Games On-site information page at Games.CrossFit.com. Link in bio. #CrossFitGames #CrossFit #Fitness #FittestonEarth Images captured by @tomcampitelli and @tairandallphoto
A post shared by CrossFit Games (@crossfitgames) on Jul 27, 2020 at 5:17pm PDT

In cooperation with local health officials, HQ has developed a protocol that will keep everybody safe at the 2020 CrossFit Games. The CrossFit Medical Team will monitor individuals attending the event, all of whom will have been tested prior to traveling to California, and before they enter the competition bubble. Anyone entering the bubble will be required to pass two screenings for COVID-19, and once in the bubble will be expected to wear masks and social distance, to limit the ability for anything to spread.

In addition to this, the playing fields will be regularly sanitized. There have also been contingency plans put in place, in the event somebody tests positive for COVID-19. We will see how it looks in practice, but it generally seems like they will be well prepared for this event, and keeping everybody safe.

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Thirteen years ago today, the first #CrossFitGames were held in Aromas, California.
A post shared by CrossFit Games (@crossfitgames) on Jun 30, 2020 at 7:42pm PDT

The 2020 CrossFit Games goes down September 14-20, in Aromas, California. It will be the most unique CrossFit event to date, but it will be good to see these athletes get back to work.