THEOpen has just begun and we have already heard of athletes who will not participate in the season this year.
With a post on Instagram, haley adams e Travis Mayer announce that unfortunately we won't see them competing for the Fittest on Earth title this year, each for different reasons.
Index
Haley Adams and her mental health struggle
A few minutes before the start of the live announcement of the 23.1 CrossFit® Open, Haley Adams has broken the news that she will not participate in the 2023 season.
This news came a day after he posted an Instagram story that raised some concerns:
Haley Adams wrote a emotional Instagram post, explaining that she has been dealing with an eating disorder and is struggling with her mental health.
Now she needs to get away for a while to "find who Haley really is".
Here is the full translated post:
“I started practicing CrossFit® when I was 14 years old. It's been my everything for a long time.
Along the road that led me to chase a dream with so much force, I slowly began to lose myself. The immense pressure I felt started to affect me in a negative way: I no longer enjoyed the process. I became very hard on myself, on my appearance and I started to attribute all my value to my ranking.
I battled with an eating disorder and have struggled with my mental health ever since. I suffered in silence, and due to the pressure to make everything look “okay,” I kept a smile on my face. It's been a tough year, where every single day was a battle.
But now it's time to put me first. I will be stepping away from competition this season, and as sad and difficult as this decision is to make, I am equally excited to find who Haley is again.
I will use this time to work on myself, both mentally and physically, so I don't hold back anymore. This isn't just a new chapter, it's a new book. The return in 2024 will be great.
Thank you to everyone who has been by my side at all times and to those who continue to support me.
If you're in trouble, know that the bravest thing you can do is ask for help."
Travis Mayer and his injury
The sad news doesn't end there. Travis Mayer also announced that he will have to sit out the season for a accident in hand.
Games veteran, he would start the 2023 season with a repeat of one of his best results to date (Mayer took 10th place worldwide in 14,4 with 258 repetitions, and then finished 17th after all five events).
Although he has participated in all the Opens from 2011 to today, this time there is nothing for him to do. He explained it in a pained IG post:
“During the final event of the WZA, I somehow injured my hand, which made me unable to support my body weight. […] Doctors say he just needs time to heal and there's not much else he can do. I am deeply saddened to know that my season is over before it has even begun. I will find the silver lining and come back stronger and better than before. Sometimes there are things that make you grow and become a better athlete and that's what I'm going to do."
Mayer is currently 15th in the CrossFit® Games world rankings and was expected to compete in the North America East region.
Here is the full translated post:
Well that breaks my heart. For the first time in 12 years I have suffered an injury that will keep me out of the Open and the CrossFit® Games season.
During the final event of the WZA, I hurt my hand and am no longer able to support my body weight. I tried to do everything I could to speed up the healing process and, in my head I knew it would get better… but today I did a few moves with our on site PT and it hasn't gotten better.
We tried foam pillows and towels on my hand in an attempt to fix it, but nothing.
Doctors say he just needs time to heal and there's not much else he can do. I am deeply saddened to know that my season is over before it has even begun. I will find the silver lining and come back stronger and better than before.
Sometimes there are things that make you grow and become a better athlete, and that's what I'm going to do. I am grateful to have my family, friends and sponsors by my side as I take the time to heal and become an even better athlete.”