“It’s Put Up or Shut Up Time” – Hunter McIntyre Gets Official Invitation to the Games

Endurance racer Hunter McIntyre has received an invitation to the CrossFit Games, CrossFit announced yesterday.

In a press release, the company said the accomplished athlete would have a chance to measure himself against “a deep field of proven athletes”.

McIntyre’s athletic accomplishments include:

• six-time Obstacle Course Racing World Champion
• four-time Obstacle Course Racing National Champion
• three-year Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Ranch Champion
• two-time Tough Mudder X Champion

He is also a fitness trainer and has participated in the CrossFit Open since 2012.

Announcing its decision, the CrossFit Games tweeted: “Hunter, it’s put up or shut up time”.

Hunter, it's put up or shut up time. https://t.co/QwPAkzzw6I

— The CrossFit Games (@CrossFitGames) May 28, 2019

Earlier last month, McIntyre started the petition “Get Hunter to the Games | FORGING GREATNESS” which, at the time of writing, has over 2,500 signatures.

View this post on Instagram

WE DID IT!!!! I have never been a team athlete but this wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for the amazing team I have behind me! To my family and friends who have always believed in me by supporting at all the crazy events I have dragged you to over the years. To my dream sponsor @fitaid for being the spark that lit this fire, I drink at least five a day to keep healthy and hydrated! To my amazing friend @augielasseter you’ve been by my side for ten years, we have many more to come! To my coaches this season @mtromello @coach_novak @mike.aidala let’s bend some bars and crush some wods! To the OCR community, I will fly the flag high on our behalf…. And last but not least @armenhammertv for having such a cool mullet WE ARE GOING TO THE GAMES BABY #gethuntertothegames #bicepswinraces #crossfitgames

A post shared by Hunter McIntyre (@huntthesheriff) on May 28, 2019 at 3:35pm PDT

His invitation has received a mixed reaction from CrossFit elite athletes and fans alike. Some argue that he should earn his spot and qualify the conventional way, leaving the wildcard invitation to athletes that are still to qualify to the Games like Ben Smith.

Others are excited about the prospect of seeing McIntyre compete against CrossFit’s elite and find out how he stands against them.

CrossFit has the right to invite four individual athletes to the Games according to the 2019 Competition Rulebook, which states that:

“CrossFit Inc. reserves the right to invite four individual athletes to compete at the Games. The means by which an athlete can earn one of the four at-large bids is solely up to CrossFit Inc.’s discretion.

“Once an athlete receives an invite via an at-large bid, the athlete will have to accept the invite and complete the registration process.”