CrossFit Concludes Third-Party Investigation, Will Not Release Report

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Good morning and welcome to the Morning Chalk Up.

In today’s edition:

• After several months, CrossFit’s third-party investigation into Lazar Đukić’s death is complete, and the results were presented to its Board of Directors. That report will not be shared publicly, and CrossFit’s announcement yesterday focused on the road ahead. Check out all the details below.

• EC Synkowski busts 10 myths on health and performance. Learn more today.

• Renovō Health, an integrative healthcare company, has partnered with CrossFit affiliates and major competitions to offer biomarker and lab testing. Find out more. 

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“We are not publishing a full report based on privacy and legal considerations. The results of the investigation have been reported to our Board of Directors. Our focus now is to move forward with actions that maximize our continued commitment to safety at the CrossFit Games.” - From CrossFit’s “Safety and Procedural Changes After the 2024 CrossFit Games” announcement yesterday.

CROSSFIT GAMES

BREAKING: CrossFit Concludes Third-Party Investigation Into Lazar Đukić’s Death – Will Not Reveal Details

CrossFit LLC announced today that they have the results from a third-party investigation into the death of competitor Lazar Đukić during the swim portion of Event 1 at the 2024 CrossFit Games.

• While the results have been reported to CrossFit’s Board of Directors, the announcement today revealed that CrossFit will not publish a full report “based on privacy and legal considerations.”

Instead, CrossFit is focused on moving forward “with actions that maximize our continued commitment to safety at the CrossFit Games.”

CrossFit’s Plan Moving Forward

CrossFit revealed six actions and “next steps” it plans to take following last summer’s tragedy. Here’s what you need to know:

1. Hire a New Senior Safety Leader: “This leader will report jointly to Dave Castro, who will continue to lead CrossFit’s Sport Organization, and to CrossFit’s CEO, Don Faul. They will be expected to provide regular briefings on CrossFit’s safety plans and posture,” CrossFit said in their post.

2. Create a Safety Advisory Board: In addition to the above, CrossFit also intends to establish a CrossFit Games Safety Advisory Board that will be “composed of medical professionals, independent safety experts, and athletes.”

3. Continue the Open-Water Swimming Event Suspension: “If a future CrossFit Games includes a swimming component, it will take place in a highly-controlled environment, such as a pool, where safety teams can closely monitor every athlete.”

4. Enhance Pre-Event Rehearsals: Starting with next year’s CrossFit Games, CrossFit will host on-site rehearsals for all event staff, safety personnel, and volunteers “to test safety protocols and communication equipment.”

5. Expand Mental Health Support Resources: “We recognize that athlete well-being extends beyond physical safety and feel it’s important to extend mental health resources to those who experienced this tragedy this summer,” they said, adding that they’re committed to integrating mental health professionals into their on-site medical teams at the 2025 CrossFit Games. 

6. Establish a CrossFit Athlete Council: The Athlete Council will be elected by fellow athletes “to ensure that athletes from the CrossFit community can share feedback and have greater influence on CrossFit’s protocols for competition, safety, broader athlete welfare and the business of sport.”

CrossFit concluded: “We are confident that these adjustments will enhance our ability to respond swiftly and effectively in any situation while fostering a safer environment for all athletes and event participants.”

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SPEED READS

💰 💴 Black Friday is still a few days away, but the sales have already begun! Check out BarBend’s rundown of the best early Black Friday deals on everything from workout equipment to supplements.

😎🌴 2024 TYR WZA Miami Beach Update: In case you’ve missed it, TYR WZA Miami Beach has begun to announce the athletes “confirmed to celebrate!” So far, the roster includes Ricky Garard, Pat Vellner, Dani Speegle, James Sprague, and Arielle Loewen. Many more to come.

🗳️🏋️ New PFAA Athlete Board: After a vote that ended Sunday evening, the Professional Fitness Athletes’ Association (PFAA) announced its new Athlete Board. Here are the six athletes representing various regions of the world:

• Pat Vellner, Canada, nine-time CrossFit Games athlete

• Danielle Brandon, United States, six-time Games athlete

• Victoria Campos, Brazil, three-time Games athlete

• Jelle Hoste, Belgium, two-time Games athlete

• Jake Douglas, Australia, 2023 Games athlete

• Christina Livaditakis, Zimbabwe, four-time Semifinal athlete

🩼⛑️ Medical Team Volunteers Needed: The Legends Championship is looking for volunteers for the medical team for the December 12-15 competition in Tempe, AZ.

• Experience is preferred, but they will train the right people. This is a great opportunity for students pursuing degrees in the healthcare field to gain experience. Contact Stephanie Price, Director of Operations for the 2024 Teenage CrossFit Games and medical team lead for the 1st Phorm Legends Championship.

🏋️🏃PIT Training League: The organizers of the Pit Teen Throwdown announced the creation of a new competition series called the PIT Training League. Learn more and register here.

ICYMI: The Belgrade Games took place over the weekend and honored Lazar Ðukić’s influence on the sport of CrossFit, especially in Europe. Read all about it here.

MEMBER EXCLUSIVE

From Fats to Fruits: Debunking 10 Nutrition Myths for Health and Performance

The New York Times published an article titled "10 Nutrition Myths Experts Wish Would Die" a while back. 

• While it's great to see nutrition myths called out in the mainstream press, the piece didn't quite hit the mark on a few key points.

For a recent episode of the Consistency Project podcast, I wanted to discuss each myth and provide more context for it.

Let’s dive in:

Myth 1: Fresh produce is always best.

I agree that this is a myth.

Frozen and canned fruits and veggies are just as nutritious as fresh, and sometimes even more so.

• The nutritional content of produce depends on many factors, including the plant variety, growing conditions, post-harvest handling, and storage time.

The breadth of these factors makes it impossible to pick the “best.” The most important thing is to simply eat more plants, period.

INDUSTRY

Integrative Healthcare Company Renovō Health Partners With Upcoming Reps Ahead, TYR Wodapalooza Events

The everyday athlete is becoming increasingly interested in knowing how their body is working and getting a detailed picture of their health. 

This is where Renovō Health has stepped in, partnering with CrossFit affiliates and major competitions to offer biomarker and lab testing. 

Michael MaiAlley, the CEO of Renovō Health, recently partnered with TYR SoCal Wodapalooza, TYR Miami Wodapalooza, and Reps Ahead, a one-on-one athlete throwdown. 

• Reps Ahead’s next event is being held in Denver, Colorado, on November 23-24. 

The company offers health and clinic resources, but MaiAlley said the majority of CrossFit athletes have taken an interest in the health part of the business, which includes extensive biomarker testing. 

HIGHLIGHTS

Celebrating a PR, hosting a fundraiser, this, that, or otherwise? Send us a tip.

• 🎂Happy birthday to Scott Panchik and Becca Voigt Miller.

• Great job to Rafael from CrossFit Montijo in Portugal on this plate jump progression, ending in 143 centimeters/56 inches.

• Check out these young record-setters from Rose Barbell Club in New Hampshire.

• Congratulations to Wafa of 9616 CrossFit in Lebanon on her first kipping pull-up.

• 🏃‍♀️Congratulations to Katie of CrossFit Up in Live Oak, CA, on completing the Monterey Bay Half Marathon.