Last week was one giant adrenaline rush. We saw the most skilled athletes in the world compete for a spot on the podium and the coveted title of Fittest on Earth. Some saw their greatest dreams realized. Others narrowly missed out on victory. And for a few of them? Things didn’t go the way they planned at all.

Despite the last 12 months of preparation, despite their lives revolving around the sport, some of the competitors weren’t able to finish the Games. Whether it was due to injury or too much of a struggle completing the minimum work requirement for an event, these athletes’ names are followed by the dreaded “WD” on the Games leaderboard.

No, it wasn’t the way they imagined things going, but there is this: despite the outcome, these competitors have held their heads up and maintained a positive attitude, even in the face of disappointment. And that is pretty darn impressive.

Alexandre Caron

Yesterday, I had to withdraw from the @crossfitgames. I got a knee injury during the squat. _ I still don’t have the final verdict on the extent of the injury. After consulting the medical staff, we agreed that there was no way I could go on with the competition. _ Thank you everyone for your support I truly appreciate it. I will be back. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Hier, j’ai dû me retirer des @crossfitgames. Je me suis blessé au genou pendant le squat. _ Je n’ai pas le verdict final quant à la nature de la blessure. Après avoir consulté l’équipe médicale, nous avons convenu qu’il n’y avait pas de façon que je puisse continuer la compétition. _ Merci beaucoup tout le monde pour le support, je l’apprécie vraiment. Je serai de retour.

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Sara Sigmundsdottir

Sometimes things are unfair and don´t go as planned?? _ I have never been as well prepared for the @CrossfitGames as I was this year but early on in the competition something happened and my ribs got really sore and bruised. I was in a bit of denial and decided to tough it out. In the “Marathon row” the pain went a way as soon as had hit 10 km, so I thought this couldn´t be that bad. Afterwards the pain got so much worse of course. I started Friday, still in denial, and after the “Clean and jerk ladder” pain killers had become my best friend. I decided to keep on pushing today regardless of all the alarm bells but once I started warming up for events 9 and 10 the pain had become so bad that I could not bend over to do a snatch or complete a muscle up on the bar. _ It is one of the hardest things I have ever had to do in my life but I have decided to withdraw from the competition due to a stress fracture injury on my rib. _ This desicion is made after a consultation with my coach and doctors. There was only one decision to be made, and as much as I hate the fact that I am not going to finish this competition I know that this is the only right way to proceed. _ I will give a better and more detailed explanation on all of this when I know more but one thing is for sure. I´ll be back!!! _ Love, Sara ??

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Michele Fumagalli

Emily Bridgers

Justine Beath

To qualify and compete at the #crossfitgames I know is an amazing accomplishment. It’s a privilege and I am part of the small percentage that has done it twice. How the weekend panned out hurts my heart because no matter how much I believe and know that to be a true statement, I failed at a time I really needed to be able to shine and demonstrate the hard work I had put in over the past year. . HOWEVER. With that said, this has made me realise just how much I’ve grown over the last year. CrossFit and competing is and has been a Huge part of my life and it means a lot to me, I know I’m more than my workout and my ranking. . When I spoke to @thenickfowler about my goals for the season, one significant question he asked me was who I wanted to be the day after the competition was over. I answered with I wanted to be happy, wanted to have no regrets and do the best I could. I wanted a life that made me happy. Although I am disappointed with my result over the CFG weekend, as a person I am happy. I love my life. I have the most loving and supportive boyfriend, the bestest of friends and have experienced and achieved things people would dream of. . CrossFit has made me strong physically and mentally. It’s made me resilient AF and demonstrated that hard work, dedication and most importantly being 100% HONEST to MYSELF will get me where i want to be- not only athletically but in all areas of my life. . This is just another one of those moments. ? #beapineapplestandtallwearacrownandbesweetontheinside I have so many people to thank for their ongoing support. @thenickfowler @brute.strength @trueprotein @rxsmartgearaus @proformphysio @roogrips @fortitudenutritioncoaching @melkneller @camonovak @kate_beath

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Jennifer Smith

What a year!! ? ••• My mind is blown how quickly this year of training and competing went by! This past year was probably the most mentally challenging years I’ve had, mostly in terms of the sacrifices made putting in time to train. Emotions were high at times, a few tears shed (sometimes out of nowhere ?????), but all WELL worth the journey. I wouldn’t trade the lessons and experiences for anything. ••• It was definitely a sour ending to the week for me, and I’d be lying to say I wasn’t a bit down – I didn’t withdraw from the competition, and I’m totally healthy. There was a work minimum in the handstand event I wasn’t able to complete, and was cut before the final event. It absolutely stings to end the year this way, but I also know I’m fitter than I’ve ever been and gave my very best effort for the week, so I’ll keep my head high! ••• The BIGGEST thank you for the support from my family, friends, sponsors, and all the cheers from fans over the week! ??? Last but not least, a huge thank you to all the volunteers over the week. The tireless effort put in is unreal, and the event wouldn’t be what it is without them! ?

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Main image: Alexandre Caron/Instagram

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