CrossFit®'s recent actions regarding requests made by the Professional Fitness Athletes' Association (PFAA) for the 2025 season have raised significant concerns. In particular, the PFAA expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of transparency during the investigation into the case of Lazar Đukic, Serbian athlete dies for drowning during the open water swimming event at the 2024 CrossFit® Games.
The PFAA stressed that His requests were not met, generating discontent among the athletes. Despite this, the association reiterates its commitment to protecting the rights of competitors and has announced new guidelines for the future of sport.
With regard to Safety Protocol Changes Announced by CrossFit® for the 2025 season, the PFAA highlighted that the process was conducted without dialogue or clarity.
The association, which represents over 100 elite athletes, considers this attitude worrying and their requests were aimed at strengthening the sport and ensuring the safety of the athletes.
However, CrossFit®'s lack of response has generated deep dissatisfaction in the association, which continues to strive for improvements. In fact, the PFAA stated that it remains focused on promoting unity among athletes and working for the advancement of the sport, stating that dialogue is essential to creating meaningful change and building a stronger future.
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PFAA Guidelines for 2025
The PFAA has established new guidelines to support athletes, regardless of their decisions regarding participation in the 2025 CrossFit® Games. These directives include:
- Support for the boycott: Some athletes may choose not to participate in the CrossFit® Games as a form of protest. The PFAA stands behind these competitors.
- Assistance to participants: For those who decide to compete, the association will continue to offer support, including individual guidance, training and professional dialogue with CrossFit®.
- Exploring alternatives: The PFAA is working to expand opportunities for competition outside of the official CrossFit® circuit, offering greater freedom and safety to athletes.
These guidelines reflect PFAA's commitment to protecting the rights of competitors and demonstrates its intention to strengthen the sport, expanding options for athletes.
Here is the full translated text:
“In light of CrossFit® announcements. regarding safety and procedural changes for the 2025 season:
- Some athletes may choose to boycott the CrossFit® Games. The PFAA supports athletes who choose not to participate in the CrossFit® Games.
- Some athletes may choose to compete in the CrossFit® Games. The PFAA exists solely to support professional athletes in our sport and will continue to support them on an individual level and through ongoing education and professional dialogue with CrossFit®.
- Some athletes may seek to explore alternative competitive avenues. The PFAA is engaged with the broader functional fitness competition ecosystem to expand opportunities for athletes competing in these arenas.
Our requests were made with the hope of guiding the Sport of CrossFit® towards a stronger future. Although we have chosen not to embrace them, we remain committed to building unity among athletes and finding ways to create meaningful change together. We continue to believe in the great benefits that healthy and successful elite sport provides to the entire CrossFit community.®"
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The Importance of Athlete Representation
The PFAA believes that athletes need an independent voice to ensure a fair and sustainable environment.
According to the association, the needs of athletes they do not vary in their essence, but they can differ in intensity. To this end, the PFAA is committed to representing the most pressing needs of sport.
While it cannot accommodate all divisions, the association reaffirms its leadership role, with a mission to provide ongoing support to elite competitors and create a safer, more professional sport.
Although CrossFit® did not accept his requests, the PFAA remains optimistic and believes in the potential for significant change.
With the changes planned for 2025, the relationship between athletes and the central organization of the sport could undergo radical transformations.
Supporting athletes who choose to explore alternatives could open new horizons, diversifying the competitive landscape and benefiting not only athletes, but the entire functional fitness ecosystem.
