Invictus Games Foundation supports members of the We Are Invictus community at the 2024 Adaptive CrossFit Games as part of the pilot phase of the ‘I AM Clubs’ project.
The Invictus Games Foundation recently supported members of the We Are Invictus community to take part in the 2024 Adaptive CrossFit Games by WheelWOD as part of the pilot phase of the ‘I AM Clubs’ project.
The I AM Clubs project is aimed at helping members of the We Are Invictus community progress in their athletic pursuits and the 2024 Adaptive CrossFit Games was the second event where the Foundation supported competitors during the projects pilot phase.
The pilot phase for the I AM Clubs project will inform the Invictus Games Foundation’s future plans to offer more competitive sporting opportunities to the community.
The 2024 Adaptive CrossFit Games by WheelWOD saw 300 athletes take part in an event to crown the ‘Fittest on Earth’ in San Antonio, Texas at the Henry B Gonzales Convention Center, with multiple athletes wearing the black and yellow colours of the Invictus Games Foundation.
Congratulations to everyone who competed and to Cai Vickers (UK), Charlie Holford (UK), Debbie O’Connell (UK), Karl Learnihan (UK), Luke Reeson (UK), Mike Egan (USA), Sabrina Daulaus (France), Tom Green (UK), and Vincent Cavazos (USA) for each finishing in the Top 5 of their respective classifications.
"Just because my body now doesn't function at 100% doesn't mean that I can't give 100% effort into sport! Thanks to the Invictus Games Foundation for the support in helping me to compete again,” Karl Learnihan (UK).
To compete at the Adaptive Crossfit Games, athletes must first compete at the Adaptive CrossFit Open by WheelWOD and the top 20 from each of the 15 classifications progress onto the semifinals and the top ten athletes from the semifinals are invited to compete at the Adaptive CrossFit Games by WheelWOD.
"The I AM Clubs concept is vitally important and helps support and encourage the WIS (wounded, injured or sick) service community to lead better lives through sport,” said Ross Austen (UK).
Just because something life changing happens, doesn’t mean we can’t follow our dreams," he said.
This was our second pilot event for the I AM Clubs after supporting triathlon and IronMan and IronMan 70.3 Tallin participants in Estonia earlier in September. The Foundation is conducting a thorough review of the pilot to ensure future events are even more effective in delivering competitive opportunities. As the initiative moves forward, it hopes to attract commercial interest and partnerships, ultimately expanding the scope of high-level sports and competition available to WIS worldwide.
By providing structured, competitive environments, the I AM Clubs continue to promote inclusion and celebrate the strength and determination of its members on a global stage.
"The pilot has enabled us to create an international community of athletes to compete and support each other in our recovery through CrossFit," said Faith Fordham (UK).
"I am super excited for working alongside the Invictus Games Foundation, to grow awareness and participation in adaptive CrossFit. Anything is possible with the right team around you," said Tom Green (UK).
Equip Products, provided equipment and oversaw the running of the 2024 Adaptive CrossFit Games, stated they are now making it a top priority to help increase access to fitness equipment for the adaptive sports community.
“While our foundations were built in the CrossFit and functional fitness space, we believe that furthering our reach into a broad range of fitness modalities and finding new ways to develop fitness equipment for the adaptive community worldwide, there is no better organization to reach the global adaptive community then the team at the Invictus Games Foundation.” said Mark S. Harris, CEO and Co-Founder of Equip Products
About the Adaptive CrossFit Games by WheelWOD
The Adaptive CrossFit Games are a platform for athletes with disabilities to compete at the highest level. WheelWOD, a leading organisation in adaptive fitness, has partnered with CrossFit to create a competition that is fair, inclusive, and truly inspiring. The event showcases the incredible athleticism, resilience, and the power of the human spirit.
About the We Are Invictus platform
If you are interested in joining, I AM Clubs and are a member of the international wounded, injured or sick service community, sign up to the We Are Invictus platform here.
If you would like to support the work of the Invictus Games Foundation, you can donate to our cause here.