Calls for CrossFit HQ Accountability Mount

August 13th, 2024

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Good morning and welcome to the Morning Chalk Up premium subscriber edition.

In today’s edition:

  • As the CrossFit Games rolled on under the specter of tragedy, athletes and outside observers increasingly called for accountability from CrossFit HQ. We take a closer look below.

  • Raw Iron CrossFit Mayhem Thunder won the Affiliate Cup and Games legend, Kara Saunders announced her retirement. Today we look back at her career and the career stats of her fellow legendary Australian teammates.

  • Lazar Ðukić Support Funds have been set up here and here for those who are able to give.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“We’ve been shouting for years about safety concerns, only to be patted on the head and told we’re just being hysterical and complaining, and it just feels like it was only a matter of time…this isn’t war, this is sport.” - An emotional Pat Vellner on his feelings about Thursday’s events at the CrossFit Games

CROSSFIT GAMES

Credit: @cassidy_lancemcwherter / Instagram

CrossFit Athletes, Community Members Call for Action and Accountability in Wake of Lazar Đukić’s Death

The 2024 CrossFit Games have come and gone, but the hurt and anger over the death of Lazar Đukić is just beginning. 

Members of the community have started to speak out and are seeking accountability as it pertains to the drowning of one of the best and most beloved athletes in the sport. 

The details: Most individuals, especially those who competed, likely chose to hold off on making statements or taking a stance on the tragic matter until the close of the competition. 

However, several voices in the community have started to come forward and are calling on CrossFit HQ to act in the wake of Đukić’s death. 

  • They are also denouncing HQ for leaving the decision to compete up to the athletes. 

Pat Vellner, a veteran of the sport and leader in the community, spoke out during an interview with the Buttery Bros regarding his dissatisfaction with HQ’s lack of safety concern. 

  • “We’ve been shouting for years about safety concerns only to be patted on the head and told we're just being hysterical and complaining,” said Vellner.

Vellner, holding back tears, adds that an accident of this magnitude was only a matter of time. 

  • “We’ve been pushing athletes in the wrong way. This isn't war, this is sport and I feel like we've been trying to for some reason find the athletes' breaking point for too long and we found it,” he said.

Finally, Vellner made it clear that he and others plan to keep the problem “front and center and very visible, and we’ll keep doing that for the next while.”

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SPEED READS

The Buttery Bros “Raw Butter”: Heber Cannon, Marston Sawyers, and Julian Marquez documented the mood and feeling among CrossFit Games athletes, coaches, and community members in the wake of Lazar Đukić’s tragic death. Their coverage provides an important and touching look into the athletes’ experiences.

Talking Elite Fitness at the Games: Tommy Marquez and Lauren Kalil were on-site all week in Fort Worth and provided first-hand insights as events transpired. They chose to “be human first” and report on the competition with a compassionate eye toward those most closely involved.

ICYMI: It was an emotionally taxing week, but if you are just catching up, here are a few stories to help:

MEMBER EXCLUSIVE

Credit: @rawiron_crossfit / Instagram

Looking Back at the CrossFit Careers of Kara Saunders and Raw Iron Mayhem Thunder

Raw Iron CrossFit Mayhem Thunder brought together three of CrossFit’s most beloved athletes, alongside a rising star in the sport. 

  • Composed of Kara Saunders, James Newbury, Khan Porter and Emily De Rooy, the team instantly became fan favorites the moment they were announced in January.

Earlier this week, Saunders announced this will be her last season. 

  • Newbury and Porter could easily join her by riding off into the sunset as the Fittest Team on Earth. For De Rooy, 2024 could just be the beginning of a long and successful career in the sport. 

While we congratulate them on a championship year, we can also look back at the achievements over their careers (so far).

Kara Saunders

Kara Saunders entered the CrossFit Games world in 2012 with her first trip to Carson, CA. 

  • She is one of eight athletes to make 10 appearances as an individual at the Games.

Saunders’ top finish came in 2017 when she finished in second place, two points behind Tia-Clair Toomey-Orr. 

The two battled all weekend including the nail-biting finish in “Fibonacci Final.”

Success for Kara Saunders wasn’t limited to 2017 as she earned six top-10 finishes at the CrossFit Games.

  • She is one of only 12 athletes to accomplish that feat.