Since 2007, CrossFit has presented the Spirit of the Games Award to those who embody CrossFit’s values during the most difficult of competitions — those who exhibit the character, commitment, and camaraderie we seek to cultivate in our training and our sport.

When searching for the most deserving recipient, we look at this week’s competition; and we also look across the season and across a career. We look at what happens on the competition floors for the world to see and also behind the scenes when few are watching.

We ask questions like: Who exhibits extraordinary character, even in a field of already extraordinary human beings? Who inspires us to overcome even the most extreme challenges with a little more grace, grit, and courage?

This year’s Spirit of the Games Award goes to an athlete who has not only been wowing fans for 10 years but who is also a coach and a role model — giving as much to the athletes in his gym and the next generation of competitors as he does on the competition floor.

Anyone who knows Scott Panchik will reiterate exactly what you saw this weekend — that no matter how tough his circumstances may be, Scott holds himself to the highest standard, all while acting with kindness and integrity and always seeking to make a positive impact on those around him.

In 2021, we could not be happier to award the Spirit of the Games to Scott Panchik.

—Nicole Carroll, GM of Education and Certifications at CrossFit

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