What’s new for the 2014 Reebok Crossfit Games
The seventh installment of the CrossFit Games, the final round of which starts Tuesday, announces the possibility of wild card spots, new qualification requirements and drug testing, marking the increasing popularity of what some consider the ultimate test of fitness.
Of the 100,000 qualified athletes scheduled to compete at the StubHub Center in Carson, California, all have faced tougher qualifications to make it to their respective regional playoffs.
Further emphasizing that the competition is a test of fitness rather than a training session, changes in the interest of safety have been added to the rulebook and even past champions are not guaranteed spots in the Games.
Of notable interest is the expanded drug test policy, which makes it possible for any registered CrossFit competitor to be tested during any moment of the year, even outside the three-phase season that started with the Open competition, which kicked off January 15.
CrossFit, Inc., says on its website that 2014 is expected to be another consecutive record-breaking year and that the number of affiliates has reached 10,000, having doubled since the 2013 installment.
The CrossFit Games began in 2007 and are characterized by blind competitions in which the athletes are unaware of exactly how their fitness will be put to the test.
Examples of activities on the schedule so far include Kettleball, Relay Run, Strongman, Rowing and Gymnastics.
