CrossFit is committed to continuously raising the bar for athlete safety and well-being. Over the past year, we’ve continued to build on our efforts to keep our athletes safe during the CrossFit Games.
As the 2026 season is upon us, we’re sharing a summary of the safety enhancements that will be implemented as we continue to evolve and uphold the highest standards of athlete care and event safety.
Welcoming Dr. Mark James Sakr and Dr. Michael Scott Emery
Mark James Sakr, D.O., has joined us as the CrossFit Games Medical Director. Sakr brings a wealth of experience in sports medicine and athlete care that will be invaluable to our team and the athletes we serve. He is a dual-board-certified physician in family medicine and sports medicine, with extensive clinical, research, and teaching experience. He currently serves as the Director of Medical Services and Head Team Physician for the University of Arizona. He also serves as the Medical Director for USA Rugby and contributes to the World Rugby Player Welfare Working Group. Sakr has held faculty appointments at Duke University School of Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and has provided care for athletes at all levels — from community and mass participation events to collegiate, Olympic, and professional competitions. What stood out in the selection process was Sakr’s experience in strengthening teams and systems, references speaking to his mentorship and network (and the role it’s played in supporting athlete care), and our strong sense of his collaborative leadership style.
Michael S. Emery, M.D., M.S., FACC, is a cardiologist and physician-leader with deep expertise in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, sports cardiology, and cardiovascular imaging. He has more than 17 years of experience as a practicing academic cardiologist, most notably at the Cleveland Clinic, where he held faculty appointments and co-directed programs in sports cardiology. His work has included cardiovascular leadership and advisory roles with elite athletic organizations, including the National Football League (NFL) Scouting Combine and the National Basketball Association (NBA), supporting evidence-based cardiovascular screening, risk assessment, and athlete care. He joins the CrossFit Games Safety Advisory Board as we continue to grow our medical expertise. A dedicated CrossFit athlete, Emery will complete his 12th CrossFit Open this year and is a member at CrossFit Nassau in Monmouth Junction, New Jersey. You can go here to learn more about Emery and members of the Safety Advisory Board.
Instituting a Preparticipation Medical Evaluation Requirement for the 2026 CrossFit Games
Starting this season, all CrossFit Games athletes in the Individual and Team divisions will be required to submit confirmation from a licensed physician verifying they are medically eligible to compete in the 2026 CrossFit Games without restriction. We recognize that elite competition places significant physical and mental demands on athletes. The preparticipation evaluation process is designed to empower athletes to be well-informed of their own health status while enabling the CrossFit Games Medical Team to provide informed, timely, and athlete-centered support throughout competition.
Although specifics vary by institution and organization, the preparticipation evaluation is commonplace; the NCAA requires a preparticipation evaluation by a licensed medical doctor or doctor of osteopathic medicine prior to participation in any sport it sponsors, and preparticipation evaluations are commonplace across Olympic and professional sports such as the NHL, NFL, and NBA.
We have introduced a process that takes best practices from the elite sport industry while appropriately adapting them for the sport of CrossFit. For additional context on preparticipation evaluations, read an article authored by two of our Safety Advisory Board members, Dr. Rob Oh and Dr. Michael Emery, “Setting a New Standard: Preparticipation Exams for the 2026 CrossFit Games.”
Evolving the Medical and Security Teams Composition and Structure
As part of our ongoing commitment to advancing athlete care, the medical team will be strengthened this season to include additional sports medicine professionals, including certified athletic trainers, along with enhanced collaboration with local health providers. Additional focus will be given to defining roles and responsibilities to improve coordination, maximize clinical expertise, and further elevate the athlete experience.
Security operations will also be enhanced. The team will prioritize candidates with law enforcement, military, and corporate security experience, and security leadership will be more fully integrated into pre-event planning to strengthen preparedness and execution.
Community members interested in contributing to these efforts are encouraged to register through the volunteer registration portal beginning March 3 for the Individual and Team Division and on April 14 for the Masters, Teenage, and Adaptive Divisions. These are two distinct portals that will be live on the above dates at games.crossfit.com.
REGISTER FOR THE 2026 CROSSFIT GAMES
Community members interested in contributing to these efforts are encouraged to register through the volunteer registration portal beginning DATE for the Individual and Team Division and on DATE for the Masters, Teenage, and Adaptive Divisions. These are two distinct portals that will be live on the above dates at games.crossfit.com.
In addition, Onward Physical Therapy has been named the Official Physical Therapy Partner of the 2026 CrossFit Games. With deep roots in the CrossFit community, including many clinicians and patients who actively participate in the sport, Onward is uniquely positioned to support the demands of Games athletes.
Increasing Stakeholder Engagement
Established in January 2025, the CrossFit Safety Advisory Board will build on strong inaugural momentum, continuing to drive initiatives that strengthen the athlete experience and support CrossFit’s long-term safety objectives. Priority areas include supporting the assessment of the preparticipation medical evaluation process, advancing water safety protocols, and assisting with the transition of the Games Medical Director role. The Board will remain an active planning partner in risk assessment and mitigation, and will have an on-site presence at the 2026 CrossFit Games, providing athletes with an additional avenue to raise safety concerns.
The CrossFit Athlete Council (CAC) also had a strong inaugural year. Throughout the 2025 season, the CAC provided valuable insight through community feedback on season structure, programming across all divisions, appropriate equipment use, and the video review process. To support their continued growth as an advocacy group and resource for the athlete community, we will partner with the CAC to further define their responsibilities as individual members and as a collective body, clarify terms and engagement expectations, and further advance the eligibility criteria and the recruitment and selection process for Council members.
The athlete perspective is central to the success of the CrossFit Games and vital to our mission of delivering a safe and exceptional competition experience. In addition to working closely with the CrossFit Athlete Council, we will explore new ways to engage with athletes directly, fostering meaningful dialogue and collaboration between CrossFit and the athletes who represent our community.
Strengthening the Ecosystem of In-Person Semifinal Events and Divisional Games
The Sport Team has been working closely with Licensed Event organizers for In-Person Semifinals and Divisional (Masters, Teenage, Adaptive) Games to elevate the experience for athletes, staff, volunteers, and spectators alike. We developed a best-practice resource that addresses key areas of event management, from safety to judging to the fan experience, and are conducting a workshop series to increase dialogue and share this resource. The Sport Team will also have a liaison at each Semifinal event to provide on-site support. By fostering stronger communication and alignment with our event partners, we aim to enhance preparedness, incident response, and the overall event experience across the CrossFit competition landscape.
In Closing
These updates reflect CrossFit’s continued commitment to athlete safety and operational excellence. We are confident these enhancements will strengthen our preparedness, enhance our effectiveness, and further improve the environment for athletes, volunteers, staff, and fans alike.