There are a couple of athletes in the community who have been a staple of the CrossFit Games across the years. One of those is Patrick Vellner, a man who has qualified for the past ten consecutive editions of the prestigious show. However, he will not be a part of the 2025 CrossFit Games season, as per his Instagram statement.
Patrick Vellner’s decision was not made because of any outside factors such as injuries. Instead, it was purely his own decision to sit out the 2025 CrossFit Games season for multiple reasons. Most notably, Vellner classifies his decision as a means of pushing for a change in the sport.
“I’ve decided not to compete in the 2025 CrossFit Games season. Sometimes, the best way to push for change is to take action, and this year I’m taking a stand by voting with my feet.”
Check out Patrick Vellner’s full post here:
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Patrick Vellner mentioned the tragedy that happened at last year’s CrossFit Games, which resulted in the unfortunate passing of Lazar Đukić. He believes that some decisions that were made by the CrossFit team were partially to blame. Patrick also believes that the reaction after the tragedy was not adequate, as the safety and health of the athletes have to be priority.
In turn, Patrick Vellner will miss out the CrossFit Games for the first time in a decade. During his career, he recorded five podium finishes at the Games, which proves that his absence will be felt. Vellner will, however, compete in other shows, such as the 2025 World Fitness Project Indianapolis in May.
Check out Vellner’s full statement here:
“For years I’ve committed an enormous amount of time, energy, and passion to the CrossFit Games season, but it has become increasingly difficult to justify that commitment. I can’t continue to pour my heart into an organization that doesn’t seem to be working to support those of us who compete in it.
Over the last several years, athletes have worked together and consistently voiced concerns and brought solutions regarding competition safety, fairness, and the overall direction of the sport and our efforts have largely been dismissed by leadership.
Last summer I lost a friend. Lazar’s death was a tragedy, and while there were multiple factors at play, I believe the leadership decisions within the CrossFit Games team played a role. The response from CrossFit Inc —or lack thereof— has made one thing clear: meaningful change is not coming any time soon. For our sport to evolve, we need the concerns, safety, and well-being of its athletes to be a priority, rather than dismissed, belittled, or outright ignored. I’m finished being patient and trusting, and I’m done shouting into the void.
We need a truly independent safety council with decision-making powers during the Games along with significantly improved two-way communication. The current mechanisms for athlete input don’t seem to carry any real weight, and we need the concerns of athletes to be a top priority. Right now, at least for me, rebuilding trust feels like a long road ahead.
For the last decade a huge part of my life has been devoted to the CrossFit Games season, and I’ll always be grateful for the opportunities it has provided me. This fitness community has truly changed my life; through it I have made friends, gained opportunities, built community and maintained a level of physical fitness I’m extremely proud of. I’m sure this rings true for most people reading this post, whether you throw down twice a week at your local box or line up next to me to compete on the world stage. For these reasons, I will always remain involved with it both locally and more broadly.
I’m not stepping away from the sport, in fact this year I’ll be competing more than ever. But if you’re looking for me on the CrossFit Games leaderboard in a couple weeks just know I won’t be hitting submit on my Open registration form, and that it’s intentional.
This year I’m reinvesting my energy into the people I love and places that value athletes and competition integrity. First stop: WFP Indianapolis!
I’ll always support the CrossFit community and those who love this methodology. Good luck to everyone this season, whatever that looks like for you, just find your crew and have a blast throwing down. Whether it’s the Games Season or something else, Just keep finding ways to challenge yourselves. That’s all it’s ever been about.”
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Patrick Vellner is not the only elite athlete who has decided to sit out the 2025 CrossFit Games season. The other notable athlete who revealed her decision was the 2x Fittest Woman on Earth, Annie Thorisdottir. However, both Vellner and Thorisdottir have pointed out that they don’t judge others who decide to compete, as the decisions they made were subjective.
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