Current Events

In recent news, Emily Abbott, the winner of the women’s CrossFit Games West Regional, reportedly failed her drug test and is banned from competing in CrossFit-sanctioned events for the next four years.

This is notable obviously because it affects our own region, but also because, as a failed drug test always does, it raises questions about the integrity of the sport, what it takes to win, what is physically possible, why someone would be in a position to cheat, etc. 

To hear Emily’s side of the story, you can listen to the Shrugged Collective podcast here.

To hear CrossFit’s side, you can watch Sean Woodland interview Justin Bergh, General Manager of the CrossFit Games here (click for the video).

In my (Sarah) opinion, CrossFit for most people is about pursuing their best and living their happiest, healthiest life. CrossFit as a professional sport (like track) brings the complications of money and fame, which for many people are sufficient temptation to risk reputation and possibly health to pursue unfair advantages. I was heartbroken when Marion Jones failed her drug test because she had represented my hope that someone with an atypical body type could actually compete that well clean (apparently not). Same in CrossFit now - I badly want what the Games athletes are doing to be a genuine result of dedication and hard work - and I hope that most of them really are clean. 

As you know, I’m a rule follower. Whether or not I agree with the rules (in this case I do), I tend to respect their existence, and it’s important to note that everyone who competes even at the Open level of CrossFit agrees to compete by the rules, including movement standards, avoiding banned substances, etc. If you take supplements in any form it’s important to know how unregulated that market is, and that generally supplements are left entirely un-policed (could even be chalk dust packaged in a musty basement alongside pet dander, and no one would know unless people started getting sick). This is why Safe for Sport, GMP and NSF certifications for supplements are important - to avoid accidental contamination and to be sure that what’s on the label is actually in the product. 

In Emily’s case it sounds like it wasn’t accidental exposure from a tainted supplement. But, anytime someone goes down and claims it was an accident, it always reminds me how careful we need to be with what we choose to put in our bodies. Even if you’re not likely to be drug tested, if you’re taking supplements it’s wise to get them from a reputable source to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth, and also to be sure you aren’t getting something you wouldn’t knowingly or intentionally take.

There are services like Labdoor.com (on instagram: @labdoor) that can assist with verifying if a supplement you're interested in actually contains the things they claim.

WOD For 07-23-18:

Strict Muscle-up:

Skill Practice & Drills

-then-

4 Rounds For Time:

12 Burpee Box Jumps @ 24/20 in

21 KB swings @ 70/53 lbs

***Perform 3 RING MUSCLE-UPS EVERY TWO MINUTES starting at 0:00 (no, they do not have to be strict).