CrossFit Games Invitations Reset, See Who Will Be Invited Now

The 2020 CrossFit Games is one of the many athletic events that have taken a hit from the global health crisis. Now HQ has revealed some big changes to the event, as well as who will be invited.

CrossFit HQ already revealed some big changes being made to this year’s Games. For example, the contest is normally held in Wisconsin, but this year was being moved to Aromas instead. Additionally, it was revealed that all of the age group athletes would not be a part of the event this year.

However another recent announcement from HQ has answered some of the lingering questions about the 2020 CrossFit Games, as well as reveal some more massive changes. According to the statement, there will be no team competitions at this year’s event. Moreover, the invites to the Games have been reset, with the top 20 male and top 20 females from the Open, as well as the winners of the ten Sanctionals that were able to take place, earning invitations.

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On April 16, we announced that we are reviewing all options to host the CrossFit Games in Aromas while monitoring events globally. That effort is ongoing. Due to current limitations on social gatherings, and professional sport in particular, the field of athletes in attendance will be reduced. The Open 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. Sanctionals 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. National Champions Last year, CrossFit Headquarters expanded the field of athletes in attendance at the Games to include the fittest athlete in every eligible country. 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. 2021 Season The changes above have been made in consideration of the current challenges globally. 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. #CrossFitGames @crossfitranch
A post shared by CrossFit Games (@crossfitgames) on May 9, 2020 at 1:15pm PDT

With that in mind, these are the athletes who will be invited to the 2020 CrossFit Games:

Men

Patrick Vellner (Open)
Mathew Fraser (Open)
Lefteris Theofanidis (Open)
Bjorgvin Karl Gudmundsson (Open)
Jeffrey Adler (Open)
Noah Ohlsen (Open)
Brayden Brown (Open)
Jean-Simon Roy-Lemaire (Open)
Tyler Christophel (Open)
Roman Khrennikov (Open)
Jonne Koski (Open)
Samuel Cournoyer (Open)
Brandon Luckett (Open)
Travis Mayer (Open)
Tim Paulson (Open)
Samuel Kwant (Open)
Scott Tetlow (Open)
Jacob Heppner (Open)
Cole Sager (Open)
Rich Froning (Open)
Justin Medeiros (Filthy 150)
Pete Shaw (SouthFit)
Khan Porter (Pandaland)
Brent Fikowski (Dubai)
Luke Schafer (Mayhem)
David Shorunke (Strength in Depth)
Griffin Roelle (Norway)
Saxon Panchik (Wodapalooza)
Jay Crouch (Australia)
Adam Davidson (Brazil)

Women

Sara Sigmundsdottir (Open)
Annie Thorisdottir (Open)
Kristin Holte (Open)
Tia-Clair Toomey (Open)
Jamie Simmonds (Open)
Kari Pearce (Open)
Emma McQuaid (Open)
Caro-Ann Reason-Thibault (Open)
Karin Freyova (Open)
Laura Horvath (Open)
Brooke Wells (Open)
Kara Saunders (Open)
Camilla Salomonsson Hellman (Open)
Kristi Eramo O’Connell (Open)
Kendall Vincelette (Open)
Andrea Nisler (Open)
Gabriela Migala (Open)
Dani Speegle (Open)
Kristine Best (Open)
Katelin Van Zyl (Open)
Andrea Solberg (Filthy 150)
Bethany Shadburne (SouthFit)
Harriet Roberts (Pandaland)
Sam Briggs (Dubai)
Danielle Brandon (Mayhem)
Haley Adams (Strength in Depth)
Sanna Venalainen (Norway)
Amanda Barnhart (Wodapalooza)
Mia Hesketh (Australia)
Melina Rodriguez (Brazil)

There are some important things to note about this list. First and foremost, this is just the athletes who are eligible for invites under the new criteria; not the final list of who will be at the CrossFit Games. In fact there are several athletes who have already revealed that they will not compete, such as Annie Thorisdottir, who is pregnant.

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She is certainly growing and so is my belly 😅💕⁣ ⁣ Now moving around like crazy in there which I love and take as a sign that she’s happy and healthy not reserving any energy 💕⁣ ⁣ 27 weeks in now – it’s crazy how time flies 😅 last two pics from week 22⁣ ⁣ #fitpregnancy #happy #enjoythejourney
A post shared by Annie Thorisdottir (@anniethorisdottir) on May 6, 2020 at 5:43am PDT

If an athlete declines an invitation to the 2020 CrossFit Games, or is ineligible to compete, their invitation will be backfilled accordingly. Furthermore, anyone who previously earned an invite as an individual, but planned to compete on a team, will have the option to re-accept their invitation.

This is a continuation of a constantly evolving situation, which will surely continue to change. FitnessVolt will be sure to update with further changes to the contest.