CrossFit CEO Eric Roza has confirmed the sport is planning to add an Adaptive Division to the 2021 Open in order to offer people with disabilities the chance to compete.
There have been campaigns to widen the inclusivity of CrossFit for nearly 20 years, but this is the first time there have been serious signs of introducing a disabled division to the main Games season.
Until now, Wodapalooza has been one of the only competitions to have included an Adaptive Division over the last six years.
But according to Roza, his team is now in the early stages of planning ahead of next year: “I’m just getting educated on this. There are a lot of different categories of adaptive athletes, and so I can’t say we’re going to nail it the first time around, but we’re going to make steps in the right direction.”
Athletes across the world had been waiting for the introduction of an Adaptive Division for years, and the news was welcomed with considerable excitement.
Steph Hammerman, a CrossFit athlete born with cerebral palsy, said: “Being so deeply rooted in CrossFit and the methodology since 2012, it’s hard not to become overwhelmed with pride and excitement after hearing the official announcement of the Adaptive Division in the Open and the door to the Games wide open for us.
“This sport has personally afforded me the opportunity to surround myself with amazing people. This has been a long time coming and something that many of us have wanted and talked about for years.
“I cannot wait to see where this takes this community. Athletes are more competitive than ever, stronger than ever believed to be possible. It’s going to be one hell of a showdown.”
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