CrossFit is thrilled to announce the appointment of Wendy Guthrie as our first Head of Safety — an important new role that underscores CrossFit’s continued commitment to the well-being of our athletes. Guthrie will lead the development and execution of comprehensive safety protocols across CrossFit Sport, with a special focus on the CrossFit Games.
As Head of Safety, Guthrie will be responsible for advancing CrossFit Sport safety practices, leading real-time safety response operations during competitive events, and continuously refining CrossFit’s approach to athlete protection. She will also liaise with the CrossFit Safety Advisory Board to research and elevate safety standards and foster a culture of accountability and care across the sport. With the 2025 CrossFit Games fast approaching, she will play a central role in ensuring CrossFit’s safety infrastructure meets the demands of our most elite competition season to date.
Guthrie joins CrossFit with more than two decades of experience in risk management, organizational strategy, and athlete advocacy. Most recently, she led her own consulting practice focused on organizational effectiveness, strategy, and governance. Previously, she served as Vice President of Athlete Safety at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, where she established and scaled key prevention and response systems. Her career also includes six years with the FBI, where she worked in human resources for a 36,000-person workforce, and over 15 years as an intercollegiate athletic administrator.
“We are thrilled to introduce Wendy Guthrie as CrossFit’s new Head of Safety. Wendy brings an ideal blend of safety expertise and CrossFit knowledge, having led athlete safety efforts at the very highest level in sport while also being a longtime dedicated member of the CrossFit community,” shared Don Faul, CEO of CrossFit. “Wendy’s experience and leadership will be instrumental as we continue our investment in elevating our approach to athlete safety. I am confident that Wendy will help us build smarter systems with our athletes’ needs in mind to ensure CrossFit is delivering a competitive environment where safety and performance go hand in hand.”
“I am excited to welcome a seasoned CrossFit member, Wendy Guthrie, as the new Head of Safety,” added Dave Castro, CrossFit’s Head of Sport. “With just a few months until the 2025 Games, we remain dedicated to enhancing our safety protocols for athletes. Collaborating closely with our Safety Advisory Board, Wendy will be critical over the next few months as we support our athletes at the height of our season. We have no doubt that her sports leadership experience will be invaluable to our community.”
“CrossFit has one of the most passionate, engaged, and supportive communities in sport,” shared Guthrie, “I’m excited to join the team and further advance an athlete-first approach to safety — one that listens, adapts, and puts the well-being of our athletes at the center of everything we do.”
As we gear up for the CrossFit Games kicking off in Albany, New York, on Aug. 1, 2025, Guthrie will work closely with the broader community to implement safety guidelines that reflect CrossFit’s commitment to world-class standards. From risk mitigation to mental health advocacy, her efforts in partnership with our team and our incredible community will help drive a safer, stronger future for the sport.
For more information about CrossFit and our Safety Advisory Board, visit: https://www.crossfit.com/crossfit-safety-board. For information on the upcoming CrossFit Games and tickets, visit: https://games.crossfit.com/article/2025-crossfit-games-tickets.
CrossFit Welcomes Wendy Guthrie as Head of Safety