4 Takeaways From the 2024 CrossFit Season Competition Rulebook
The 2024 CrossFit season is fast approaching. The 2024 CrossFit Open will begin on Feb. 29, 2024, and the dates and locations for the 2024 CrossFit Semifinals are already known.
So, what should participating athletes in the 2024 CrossFit season know to prepare for success? Well, the 2024 CrossFit Games Competition Rulebook was released on Dec. 21, 2024. While most of it was standard operating procedure in line with the past couple of years, there were some notable items to be aware of.
2024 CrossFit Games Competition Rulebook
Below are four key takeaways from the 2024 CrossFit Games Competition Rulebook, courtesy of information provided by Morning Chalk Up managing editor, Joe Genetin-Pilawa:
1. No Title Sponsor Listed
“In previous years, the Games title sponsor (most recently NOBULL) appeared on the rulebook cover and throughout [its pages],” Genetin-Pilawa says. He explains that the absence of a title sponsor on the 2024 CrossFit Games Competition Rulebook suggests that a title sponsor has not been officially confirmed, noting that NOBULL’s contract with CrossFit expires at the end of 2023.
2. Important Changes to Athlete Eligibility Rules
Athlete eligibility for each stage of the competition is receiving a small facelift.
“For example, athletes who receive an exemption to compete in a region outside their country of citizenship are now required to re-apply each year — the exemption doesn’t carry over,” Genetin-Pilawa says.
Outside partners will organize all seven Semifinal events. However, CrossFit will continue to program the tests, manage scoring, and determine invitations, according to Genetin-Pilawa. The total number of competitors at each Semifinal has been standardized; every Semifinal will feature 40 Individual men, 40 Individual women, and 30 Teams (Rule 3.02).
There are other athlete eligibility rules that participating athletes should be aware of. The above is one example, Genetin-Pilawa explains, but competitors who expect to advance past the Open should prioritize the time to read the eligibility rules further.
3. Important Video Submissions and Judging Rule Changes
One example of changes to the rules is a revision to the “major penalty” category for video submissions, according to Genetin-Pilawa. Previously, a “major penalty” was a flat 15-percent score adjustment. However, in 2024, that adjustment can be “15 to 40 percent,” depending on the severity of the violation (Rule 1.22).
There are other adjustments like this to judging and video submissions. Participating 2024 CrossFit season athletes should familiarize themselves with the adjustments to avoid being surprised should they encounter one or more of them.
4. Be Aware of Appendix D
“With a significant portion of the Games season occurring virtually, CrossFit has added a set of ‘Virtual Competition Guidelines,’” Genetin-Pilawa says. “These guidelines include setup considerations, video submission requirements and penalties, an outline of best practices, and a table of standard weight conversions between pounds and kilograms.”
Genetin-Pilawa explains that this is a welcome addition as more specificity and clarity of such information is usually a boon for athletes and one that he says athletes should examine closely.
For a detailed breakdown of more changes to the 2024 CrossFit rulebook, head here.
Featured image: @crossfitgames on Instagram
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